Carbon County court
A Jim Thorpe woman pleaded guilty in Carbon County court on Thursday to a drug-dealing charge.
She was one of four defendants in pending cases to enter a guilty plea before President Judge Roger N. Nanovic II.
Thorpe incident
Tammy M. Christman, 49, pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance — methamphetamine.
She was arrested following an investigation by borough police to drug dealing in the area of Onoko Lane. Police then set up a buy by a confidential informant who purchased a quantity of meth from Christman.
After Assistant District Attorney Michael S. Greek read the police report, Nanovic asked her if she admitted to those facts. She said she didn’t remember making any sale and said it was someone else. Nanovic then, at the request of her attorney, Matthew J. Mottola, of the public defender’s office, permitted Christman and Mottola to confer.
A short time later Christman returned to court and admitted making the sale.
She was told by Nanovic that under state sentencing guidelines she faces a minimum prison term of somewhere between three and 12 months.
Nanovic deferred sentencing and ordered the adult probation office to prepare a presentence investigation report.
Other pleas
Heidi Lynn Burd, 36, of Lehighton, pleaded to one count of possession of drug paraphernalia.
She was arrested on March 13 by Franklin Township police for an incident in the parking lot of the Square One Market along Interchange Road where she was found with syringes and evidence of methamphetamine.
Nanovic placed her on probation for a year and ordered her to get a drug and alcohol evaluation and follow any recommendation for treatment, zero tolerance for drug and alcohol use and engage in an outpatient treatment program. The term runs consecutive to any other probation she is currently serving, Nanovic ruled.
Joseph John Stalgaitis, 39, of New Ringgold, pleaded to one count of possession of a small amount of marijuana.
He was arrested on June 29 by state police at Lehighton following a traffic stop along Church Street in Franklin Township. He was a passenger in the vehicle and found with marijuana.
He is currently an inmate in the county prison facing charges in both Carbon and Schuylkill counties.
Nanovic sentenced him to serve 15 to 30 days in the county prison.
Shanna Mae Hricik, 26, of Lehighton, pleaded to one count of altering an inspection sticker. She was stopped by Lehighton police on Sept. 18, 2016, in the 100 block of Iron Street. The police report also states methamphetamine was found in the vehicle. Charges of possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia were dropped in a plea bargain.
Nanovic placed her on probation for a year and ordered her to get a drug and alcohol evaluation and follow any recommendation for treatment and zero tolerance for drug and alcohol use.
Each defendant sentenced must also pay court costs of about $1,000 and a $50 per month supervision fee while on probation or parole.
