Carbon County court – ARD

Four people were placed in Carbon County’s Accelerated Rehabilitation Disposition probation program on Monday by Judge Joseph J. Matika.

If a person successfully completes all conditions of the program their record his wiped clean. However, if they fail to complete it, or are revoked from it, then they would face trial on all pending charges. A person does not admit guilt in entering the program.

Eric William Ackerman, 42, of Bear Creek Township, was placed for a year on a charge of resisting arrest and other counts. He was arrested on Sept. 7, 2018, by state fish and game commission officers for an incident at the Francis E. Walters reservoir in Kidder Township.

He was assessed $450 for the cost of the program and ordered to render 50 hours of community service.

Gregory Paul Kovach III, 20, of Palmerton, was placed for six months on a charge of possession of drug paraphernalia. He was arrested on Sept. 29, 2018, by park rangers at Beltzville State Park in Towamensing Township.

He was assessed $450 and ordered to render 25 hours of community service.

Jacob Edward Kupillas, 21, of Palmerton, was placed for six months on a charge of possession of drug paraphernalia. He was arrested on Dec. 9, 2018, by state police at Lehighton along Summer Mountain Road in Lower Towamensing Township following a traffic stop.

He was assessed $450 and ordered to render 25 hours of community service.

Kenneth J. Shafer, 30, of Palmerton, was placed for a year on a charge of possession of a controlled substance, methamphetamine. He was arrested on Jan. 7 by Palmerton police along Delaware Avenue.

He was assessed $450 and ordered to get a drug and alcohol evaluation and follow any recommendation for treatment and render 50 hours of community service.

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