Carbon County court — Drug cases

Two people who previously pleaded to drug-related charges were sentenced on Friday in Carbon County court by Judge Joseph J. Matika.

Drug dealing

Sherry A. Jones, 53, of Wilkes-Barre, and formerly of Nesquehoning, was placed on probation for two years on charges of possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Jones was arrested for her part in a drug dealing operation in the county.

According to Nesquehoning Police Chief Sean Smith, between March 1 and 7, 2014, Smith had a confidential informant buy a half-gram of crystal methamphetamine for $100 from Vito Focht (who was charged with drug offenses in April) in the 200 block of Catawissa Street. Three other officers watched the buy.

Between April 6 and 11, 2014, the informant again bought a half gram of crystal methamphetamine from Focht for $100, this time on West Columbus Avenue and again was watched by officers.

Another controlled buy was made from Focht between April 20 and 25, 2014.

On Jan. 2, 2015, Jones came to the police station on another matter and Smith confronted her about selling crystal meth from her home. Jones told Smith she knew he’d been watching her.

She said she did use the drug, and transported it for someone else, a quarter ounce to a half ounce a week.

Smith asked who supplied the drug, and Jones said she thought it was someone from Weissport, but didn’t know the person’s name.

Jones admitted to an addiction problem and claimed she moved to Luzerne County to get away from the people she was involved with in the drug scene and is currently receiving counseling for her habit.

In addition to the probation term, Matika ordered her to get both drug and alcohol and mental health evaluations, zero tolerance for drug and alcohol use and render 100 hours of community service.

Vito Focht has since pleaded guilty to a charge in connection with the April arrest and has been sentenced.

Weatherly incident

Jaime L. Scatton, 34, of Hazleton, and formerly of Weatherly, was placed on probation for a year on a charge of possession of a controlled substance — heroin.

She was arrested on Jan. 21, 2014, by Weatherly police in the parking lot of the Dollar General Store, 20 W. Main St. Police were told by a confidential informant that a drug sale was being made in the parking lot. Scatton was a passenger in the vehicle.

She was previously placed in the county’s Accelerated Rehabilitation Disposition probation program but was revoked from it for violating conditions.

Matika also ordered her to get a drug and alcohol evaluation 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 on probation.