Carbon County court — drug cases

A Coaldale man admitted to a drug-dealing charge and other counts on Friday in Carbon County court.

He was one of nine defendants to appear before Judge Steven R. Serfass to enter a guilty plea in a drug-related case.

Kidder incident

James Jason Neff, 34, pleaded to one count of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, crystal methamphetamine.

Neff was arrested by Kidder Township police on Feb. 28, 2017, in the parking lot of Split Rock Lodge. Police said that Neff was found with 253 bags of heroin, methamphetamine and marijuana, as well as $498 in cash.

He also pleaded to a charge of flight to avoid apprehension for an incident on Sept. 20, 2017, filed by Lansford police. Police attempted to arrest him along West Bertsch Street on an outstanding warrant. He fled on foot but was apprehended following a short chase.

He also admitted to retail theft for an incident on June 19, 2017, at the Walmart store in Mahoning Township. He stole items valued at $295.88.

Serfass deferred sentencing so Neff can apply for placement in the state’s Intermediate Punishment program. The program runs for about two years with the defendant serving about seven months in prison followed by a period of time in an intensive drug program and then in a halfway house. If he gets into the program but fails to complete it, he would be brought back to Carbon for resentencing.

Neff is currently an inmate in the county prison on the charges. He will be transferred to a state prison for evaluation for the program.

Other pleas

Alaina Jacobs, 25, of Lehighton, pleaded to one count of possession of drug paraphernalia.

She was arrested on Oct. 2, 2017, in the 300 block of Long Run Road, by Franklin Township police. A charge of possession of a controlled substance was dropped in a plea bargain.

Serfass placed her on probation for a year, consecutive to a probation term she is currently serving, and ordered her to get a drug and alcohol evaluation and render 50 hours of community service.

Matthew Mark, 27, of Lehighton, pleaded to one count of possession of drug paraphernalia.

He was arrested on Aug. 18, 2017, by Lehighton police in the 300 block of South Fourth Street.

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

Jaquan Jeremiah Brown, 22, of Albrightsville, pleaded to one count of possession of a controlled substance, oxycodone pills.

He was arrested on Dec. 4, 2016, along Route 903 by Kidder Township police following a traffic stop. He also pleaded to driving under suspension.

On the drug count he was placed on probation for a year consecutive to a prison term he is currently serving of nine to one day less 24 months. He was also ordered to get a drug and alcohol evaluation and render 50 hours of community service when paroled. On the suspension charge he was fined $500 and costs.

Joel Thomas Vermillion, 27, of Lansford, pleaded to two counts of possession of a controlled substance, methamphetamine and heroin and one count of possession of a prohibitive offensive weapon.

He was arrested as part of a drug task force operation and Jim Thorpe police on Oct. 12, 2017.

Vermillion is currently an inmate in the county prison.

Sentencing was deferred.

Christina Marie Fletcher, 41, of Tamaqua, pleaded to one count of possession of drug paraphernalia for an incident on Nov. 10, 2016, in the 100 block of South First Street filed by Lehighton police. A charge of possession of a controlled substance was dropped in a plea bargain.

She also pleaded to one count of persistent disorderly conduct for an incident on Oct. 14, 2016, filed by state police at Lehighton, that occurred in the 200 block of White Street in Weissport.

She was placed on probation for a year on each count consecutive to each other and consecutive to a term she is currently serving in the Schuylkill County prison. She must also get a drug and alcohol evaluation and render 100 hours of community service when paroled.

Whitney Hibbler, 28, of Lehighton, pleaded to one count of possession of drug paraphernalia.

She was arrested on Sept. 3, 2017, by Lehighton police at the Blue Mountain Health Systems Lehighton Campus. Police responded to the emergency room for an unruly person. She was the person causing the problems, and paraphernalia was found on her when she was arrested.

Hibbler is currently an inmate in the county prison facing other charges. Sentencing was deferred.

Francisco Aponte Jr., 27, of Reading, pleaded to one count of possession of drug paraphernalia.

He was arrested on Aug. 24, 2017, by Lehighton police in the 300 block of North Seventh Street, following a vehicle 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.

He is currently an inmate in the county prison on other charges.

David Andrew Kroculick, 54, of Jim Thorpe, pleaded to one count of possession of drug paraphernalia.

He was arrested on April 4, 2017, by Jim Thorpe police in the area of West Fifth Street, when officers served a search warrant and found him in possession of suboxone without a prescription.

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

Kirk John Childs, 27, of Slatington, pleaded to one count of possession of a small amount of marijuana.

He was arrested on Sept. 4, 2017, along Route 248 at the Palmerton exit by state police at Lehighton, following a vehicle stop. He was a passenger in the vehicle.

He was fined $300 and costs.

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