4 admit to DUI charges

Four defendants in drunken driving cases entered guilty pleas in Carbon County court on Thursday.

President Judge Roger N. Nanovic II accepted the pleas from the following:

• Andrew E. Nierer, 34, of Lehighton, was arrested on May 20 at Coal Street and Poplar Alley by Lehighton police. A test revealed a 0.25 BAC.

Nanovic sentenced him to serve 30 days to 6 months in jail, a fine of $750 and one-year license suspension.

He will begin the jail term at 5 p.m. on Sept. 28 and serve it on consecutive two-day weekends.

• Corey Sexton, 25, of Tamaqua, was arrested on July 21, 2017, by Lehighton police along Third Street. A test revealed the presence of a controlled substance.

Sentencing was deferred so Sexton can obtain a comprehensive drug and alcohol evaluation. Sexton is currently an inmate in the county prison.

• Candy Behler, 54, of Palmerton, was arrested on May 5 along Route 443 at the Fast Fuel Exxon station. She refused a test. Nanovic told her, because of a prior criminal record, she faces a prison term of between 12 and 18 months minimum at the time of sentencing.

Sentencing was deferred so she can obtain a drug and alcohol evaluation.

• Russell C. Smith, 47, of Weissport, was arrested on June 5 by Lehighton police along Route 209 at the Weissport Bridge. A test revealed a 0.16 BAC.

A first offense, Nanovic placed Smith on probation for 6 months and ordered he pay a fine of $300.

Each defendant sentenced must also pay court costs of about $1,000 and a $50 per month supervision fee.

Summary offenses

Ramon Enrique Torres, 41, of Slatington, pleaded to two summary offenses of disregarding traffic lanes and careless driving. He was arrested on Oct. 2, 2015, by state police at Lehighton along Route 248 in Lower Towamensing Township. A charge of DUI of a controlled substance was dropped. Nanovic imposed fines totaling $50 and costs.