Carbon County court — drug cases
A Carbon County man entered guilty pleas in five pending cases including several drug charges on Monday in the county court.
He was one of five defendants in pending drug-related cases to enter a guilty plea before Judge Joseph J. Matika.
Drug counts
Joseph R. Becker, 35, of Summit Hill, pleaded to three counts of possession of a controlled substance, two counts of flight to avoid apprehension and one count each of possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia, in five pending criminal cases.
Becker was charged for incidents on: June 21, 2016, filed by Lansford police; Feb. 26, 2017, filed by Kidder Township police; April 21, 2017, by Lansford police; June 3, 2017, Lansford police; and Aug. 17, 2017, by Nesquehoning police.
Becker is currently an inmate in the county prison on the charges.
Matika deferred sentencing and ordered the adult probation to prepare a presentence investigation report.
Other pleas
Kaitlin Rose Helmer, 22, of Beaver Meadows, pleaded to one count of possession of drug paraphernalia. She was arrested on July 20, 2015, by Beaver Meadows police along Berwick Street, A charge of possession of a controlled substance was dropped in a plea bargain with the district attorney’s office.
She was previously placed in the county’s Accelerated Rehabilitation Disposition probation program but was revoked from it for violating conditions.
Matika placed her on probation for a year and ordered her to get a drug and alcohol evaluation, zero tolerance for drug and alcohol use and render 50 hours of community service.
The term will run concurrent with a sentence she is serving in Luzerne County.
Cecily Eleana Levan, 23, of Pottstown, pleaded to one count of possession of drug paraphernalia. A charge of possession of a controlled substance was dropped in a plea bargain.
She was arrested on Sept. 10, 2017, by Summit Hill police at a residence along White Bear Drive.
She was placed on probation for a year and ordered to get a drug and alcohol evaluation, zero tolerance for drug and alcohol use and render 50 hours of community service.
The term will run concurrent with a sentence she is serving in Berks County.
Jonathan J. Seekins, 35, of Coaldale, pleaded to one count of possession of drug paraphernalia.
He was arrested on Sept. 4, 2017, by Lansford police in the area of the Panther Valley Plaza along West Bertsch Street.
He was placed on probation for a year and ordered to get a drug and alcohol evaluation, zero tolerance for drug and alcohol use and render 50 hours of community service.
Dominic Chickilly, 27, of Summit Hill, pleaded to one count of possession of drug paraphernalia.
He was arrested on Nov. 6, 2017, by Lansford police in the area of 315 E. Abbott St.
He was placed on probation for a year and ordered to get a drug and alcohol evaluation and render 50 hours of community service.
Each defendant sentenced must also pay court costs of about $1,000 and a $50 per month supervision fee while on probation/parole.
