Carbon County court — drug cases

A Berks County man admitted in Carbon County court on Tuesday to a drug-dealing charge.

He was one of six defendants in pending drug-related cases to enter a guilty plea before Judge Joseph J. Matika.

Lansford incident

Amin Abel Nova-Reyes, 28, of Reading, pleaded to one count of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance — crystal methamphetamine.

Nova-Reyes was arrested on Nov. 16, 2016, by Lansford police in the 200 block of West Water Street. Officers had set up a control buy using a confidential informant. After the sale was made, Nova-Reyes was arrested.

Matika told Nova-Reyes that under state sentencing guidelines, based on the weight of the drugs seized at the time of his arrest, he faces a minimum term of somewhere between 9 and 16 months for a lesser amount, or 22 to 36 months for a greater amount.

Matika deferred sentencing, ordering the adult probation office to prepare a presentence investigation report. He also ordered the district attorney’s office and defense counsel, attorney Eric E. Winter, to determine the weight of the drugs found on Nova-Reyes at the time of his arrest.

Other pleas

Rebecca Allison Grandy, 33, of Saint Clair, 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 May 8 by Nesquehoning police following a traffic stop along Route 209. She was a passenger in the vehicle and found with the drug paraphernalia, including marijuana.

Grandy is currently an inmate in the Centre County prison serving a six-month term for a probation violation imposed in Schuylkill County. Because of overcrowding at the Schuylkill prison, Grandy is serving the term in Centre County.

Matika placed her on probation for a year, consecutive to the Schuylkill term, and ordered her to render 50 hours of community service when released on parole and zero tolerance imposed on drug or alcohol use.

Malik Khaleed Valentine, 23, of Morristown, New Jersey, pleaded to one count of possession of a controlled substance. He was arrested on June 3 by state police at Fern Ridge following a traffic stop along Interstate 80 in Kidder Township. He was a passenger in the vehicle and found to be in possession of marijuana.

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

Devin Austin Marshall, 20, of Lehighton, pleaded to one count of possession of drug paraphernalia. He was arrested on July 14 by Mahoning Township police after being taken into custody on an outstanding warrant.

Matika sentenced him to serve 30 days to one year in jail, get a drug and alcohol evaluation and render 50 hours of community service.

He was given credit for 36 days already spent in jail on the charge and paroled.

William Gaetano Vanriper, 29, of Weatherly, pleaded to one count of possession of a controlled substance — heroin. He was arrested on June 26 by Weatherly police following a traffic stop. He was a passenger in the vehicle and found to have five baggies of heroin.

Matika sentenced him to time-served, 77 days, to one year in jail and ordered him to get a drug and alcohol evaluation, zero tolerance for drug and alcohol use and render 50 hours of community service.

Michael Anthony Leiby, 31, of Moosic, Lackawanna County, pleaded to one count of possession of drug paraphernalia. He was arrested on June 19, 2016, by Lansford police in the area of Patterson and Walnut streets. Heroin was found on his person. A charge of possession of a controlled substance was dropped in a plea bargain.

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 or parole.