Carbon County court — drug cases

A Carbon County woman admitted to a drug dealing charge on Monday in the county court and was immediately sentenced to a prison term.

She was one of 10 defendants in pending cases to enter a guilty plea before Judge Joseph J. Matika.

Sold from home

Kelly Sue Smith, 45, of Nesquehoning, pleaded to one count of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance — marijuana.

She was arrested as part of an investigation by the borough police into drug activity in the borough. Police said Smith sold drugs out of her residence along West High Street. She was arrested on Feb. 16 and has been in the county jail since then.

Matika sentenced her to serve three to 12 months in prison and ordered her to get a drug and alcohol evaluation and follow any recommendation for treatment, zero tolerance for drug or alcohol use, supply a DNA sample and render 50 hours of community service when paroled.

She was given credit for 88 days already served.

Drug pleas

Nicholas Joseph Cantelmi, 28, of Jim Thorpe, pleaded to one count of possession of a controlled substance. A charge of contraband into a prison was dropped in a plea bargain with the district attorney.

He was arrested by Nesquehoning police on May 14, 2017, at the prison. While being processed into the prison heroin, was found in his cellphone case.

He was placed on probation for a year and ordered to get a drug and alcohol evaluation and render 50 hours of community service.

The term runs concurrent with a sentence he is serving for driving under suspension, DUI related.

Patrick J. Kelly Jr., 32, of Lansford, pleaded to one count of possession of a small amount of marijuana. He was arrested on Oct. 21, 2017, by Lansford police along Patterson Street following a traffic stop.

Matika imposed a fine of $100 and costs. He is currently in the county prison serving another sentence.

Helenne Michelle Yonkovitch, 38, of Nesquehoning, pleaded to one count each of possession of drug paraphernalia and driving under suspension. She was arrested on Feb. 7 by Nesquehoning police along Route 209.

On the drug count she was placed on probation for a year and ordered to get a drug and alcohol evaluation and render 50 hours of community service. On the suspension count she was fined $200 and costs.

Zacharie Daniel Smith, 26, of Hazle Township, pleaded to one count of possession of drug paraphernalia. He was arrested on June 26, 2017, by Weatherly police along North Street following a traffic stop.

He was placed on probation for a year and ordered to get a drug and alcohol evaluation and render 50 hours of community service.

Jeremy Neil Tobin, 39, of Tamaqua, pleaded to one count of possession of a controlled substance, fentanyl. He was arrested on Nov. 29, 2017, by Nesquehoning police along West Catawissa 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.

Ashley Marie Miller, 19, of Jim Thorpe, pleaded to one count of possession of drug paraphernalia. She was arrested on Feb. 20, 2016, by Mahoning Township police along Valley View Road. She was previously placed in the county’s Accelerated Rehabilitation Disposition probation program but was revoked from it for violating conditions. Sentencing was deferred.

Other pleas

Jason John McCracken, 29, of Exeter, Luzerne County, pleaded to one count of theft from a motor vehicle. He was charged by Nesquehoning police for an incident on Aug. 11, 2017.

Matika placed him on probation for a year and ordered him to get a drug and alcohol evaluation, render 50 hours of community service and have no contact with the victim.

McCracken is currently in the county prison but is facing a probation violation proceeding in Luzerne County, which has a detainer on him.

Tanner Brian Titus, 22, of Weatherly, pleaded to one count of theft. He was charged by state police at Hazleton for stealing guns from the home of his father.

Titus admitted to a drug problem and said he is seeking placement in a long-term inpatient facility. Matika told him he faces a minimum of nine months in prison at the time of sentencing.

Sentencing was deferred.

Walter C. Achey, 61, of Lehighton, pleaded to one count of theft. He was charged by Mahoning Township police on Jan. 22 for stealing money from his then employer, Walmart.

Matika placed him on probation for a year and ordered he make restitution of $400 to the victim, render 50 hours of community service and stay out of the store.

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