Carbon County court — drug cases

Eight defendants in drug-related cases entered guilty pleas on Monday in Carbon County court.

Judge Joseph J. Matika accepted the pleas from the following:

Jerome Edward Barnes, 23, of Philadelphia, pleaded to one count each of possession of a controlled substance - heroin, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

He was arrested on Aug. 8, 2016, along Interstate 80 in East Side Borough by state police at Fern Ridge following a traffic stop. The police report also indicated a 9 mm Smith & Wesson handgun was found in the vehicle. In exchange for the plea the district attorney’s office agreed to drop charges of firearms not to be carried without a license and receiving stolen property (relative to the firearm).

Matika sentenced Barnes to time-served (23 days) to one year in jail on both counts with the terms running concurrently.

Barnes is currently an inmate in the Philadelphia County prison serving a sentence on unrelated charges.

Gweneviere Jacobs, 19, of Fogelsville, Lehigh County, pleaded to one count each of possession of a controlled substance and driving under the influence.

She was arrested on May 3, 2019, by state police at Lehighton following a traffic stop along Fairyland Road in Franklin Township. A test revealed the presence of a controlled substance.

She was originally charged with 12 counts including six counts of DUI, along with theft and summary motor vehicle code violations. Ten counts were dropped in a plea bargain.

At the stop troopers found items stolen from the Walmart store in Mahoning Township in the vehicle.

Sentencing was deferred because Jacobs needs a drug and alcohol evaluation for the DUI count.

She is currently an inmate in Lehigh County but will be paroled and then taken to Northampton County prison where she is facing a parole violation charge.

Makenzie L. Lashefsky, 21, of Palmerton, pleaded to one count of possession of a controlled substance, methamphetamine.

She was arrested on Oct. 7, 2019, by Palmerton police. Police were called to the area of the Palmerton Hotel for a disturbance involving Lashefsky. During the investigation drugs were found on her.

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

Lashefsky is currently an inmate in the Northampton County prison on unrelated charges.

Thomas Peter Grabko, 19, of Kunkletown, pleaded to one count each of possession of a small amount of marijuana and driving under suspension, DUI related.

He was arrested on June 24, 2018, by rangers at Beltzville State Park following an incident in a parking lot along Trachsville Hill Road in Towamensing Township. He was originally charged with 12 counts. Ten counts were dropped in a plea deal. He is facing jail time on the suspension count.

Matika deferred sentencing.

Tyler Charles Deihl, 25, of Kunkletown, pleaded to one count of possession of drug paraphernalia. A charge of possession of a controlled substance was dropped in a plea bargain.

He was arrested on Dec. 4, 2018, by state police at Lehighton at a residence along Koch Road in Towamensing Township. Troopers were serving a search warrant in an unrelated matter and found Deihl in the home with illegal drugs.

Deihl is currently an inmate in the Monroe County prison serving a sentence on unrelated charges.

Matika sentenced him to serve one to 12 months in prison, concurrent with Monroe County, and ordered he get a drug and alcohol evaluation and render 50 hours of community service when paroled.

Marygrace E. Conarty, 37, of Lehighton, pleaded to one count of possession of a small amount of marijuana.

She was arrested on Dec. 12, 2018, along Route 248 at Lehighton by state police at Lehighton following a traffic stop.

Matika imposed a fine of $150

Antonio Oquendo Sautner, 24, of Bensalem, Bucks County, pleaded to one count of possession of a small amount of marijuana.

He was arrested on Sept. 21, 2019, by state police at the Pocono barracks following a traffic stop along the turnpike in Kidder Township.

Matika imposed a fine of $150.

Taja Marie Price, 30, of Larksville, Luzerne County, pleaded to one count of possession of a small amount of marijuana.

She was arrested on July 11, 2016, along the turnpike in Kidder Township following a traffic stop by state police at Pocono.

Matika imposed a fine of $150.

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