Carbon County court – drug cases

An Albrightsville man pleaded guilty in Carbon County court on Monday to three drug dealing charges.

Michael Andrew Peters, 23, entered guilty pleas to three counts of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance before Judge Steven R. Serfass.

He was one of six defendants in pending drug cases to enter a guilty plea.

Three counts

Peters was arrested on the first count on June 14 by state police following an incident at a residence in Penn Forest Township. Troopers responded to an overdose report. At the home, officers found $3,000 in cash, along with various illegal substances including methamphetamine, heroin and marijuana.

The second arrest occurred on Sept. 2, 2018, following a vehicle stop by state police in Penn Forest Township. Peters was a passenger in the vehicle and was found with seven bags of heroin. He also admitted to troopers to throwing other drugs out of the car before being stopped.

The third arrest occurred on Sept. 8 along Old Stage Road in Penn Forest Township following a vehicle stop. Peters was a passenger in the vehicle and 188 bags of heroin and other drugs were found.

Sentencing was deferred pending completion of a presentence investigation report by the adult probation office. Also, it was noted that Peters, who currently is an inmate in the county prison, is going to apply for placement in the state’s Intermediate Punishment Program.

Other pleas

Brandon Michael Frey, 19, of Lehighton, pleaded to one count of criminal conspiracy - possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance.

He was arrested on June 5 by Lehighton police along East Bridge Street following a traffic stop. Police had obtained information that Frey and another person were coming into the borough with drugs to sell. Found in the vehicle were 1,000 bags of heroin, which police said was packaged for sale. Frey has been in the county prison since his arrest.

Serfass sentenced him to serve one day less 12 to one day less 24 months in prison followed by 24 months probation. He was also ordered to get a drug and alcohol evaluation, zero tolerance for drug or alcohol use, supply a DNA sample and render 200 hours of community service when paroled.

He was given credit for six months already served.

Michael James Miller, 50, of Lansford, pleaded to one count of possession of a controlled substance. He was arrested by Lansford police on Aug. 25 following a traffic stop. Police made the stop to serve a bench warrant on Miller. While taking him into custody, illegal substances were found.

Sentencing was deferred. Miller is currently an inmate in the county prison facing a probation violation proceeding and is serving another sentence.

Joseph Luis Alicea, 37, of Summit Hill, pleaded to one count of possession of a small amount of marijuana. He was arrested on May 6 by Lansford police along East Bertsch Street after officers initially responded to a domestic incident.

Serfass imposed a fine of $300.

Nichole Nikishner, 39, of Lansford, pleaded to one count of possession of drug paraphernalia with a charge of possession of a controlled substance dropped in a plea bargain. She was arrested on April 15 by Summit Hill police along West Ridge Street. Police were dispatched to the area and found Nikishner with drugs.

Serfass placed her on probation for six months and ordered her to get a drug and alcohol evaluation and render 25 hours of community service.

Jerry L. Smith, 41, of Long Pond, pleaded to one count each of possession of drug paraphernalia and driving under suspension, DUI related. He was arrested on Aug. 25, 2018, by Jim Thorpe police along North Street. Police responded to a reported crash, a van into a utility pole. On scene, the driver of the van was not found. Witnesses said he had run into nearby woods. Through an investigation it was learned that Smith was driving the van.

Sentencing was deferred so a presentence investigation report could be prepared by the adult probation office.

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