Carbon County court

A Lehigh County resident entered guilty pleas in three pending cases on Thursday in Carbon County court and was sentenced to a prison term.

He was one of five defendants in pending criminal cases to enter a guilty plea before President Judge Roger N. Nanovic II.

Nesquehoning incidents

Damien Robert Thompson, 25, of Schnecksville, pleaded guilty to two counts of theft and one count of criminal trespass, a felony 3.

He was charged by Nesquehoning police in three separate incidents. He was charged for a May 17, 2019, incident in which he stole a leaf blower from a truck of a borough resident. He was arrested on May 18, 2019, for stealing a chop saw for the truck of another borough resident. The trespass count stems from another incident on May 18 in which he stole various tools from a shed on a property along East Catawissa Street. In that case, a felony burglary charge was dropped in a plea bargain with the district attorney’s office.

Thompson is currently an inmate in the county prison. He is currently on probation in Lehigh County.

On the trespass and one theft count, Nanovic sentenced him to serve one to 12 months in prison, with the terns running concurrently. On the second theft charge, he was placed on probation for a year, consecutive to the other counts.

He was also ordered to supply a DNA sample and get both drug and alcohol and mental health evaluations and follow any recommendations for treatment. He was given credit for 47 days already served and paroled. The sentences run concurrent with Lehigh County.

Other pleas

Zachary Lienhard, 29, of Jim Thorpe, pleaded guilty in two pending cases to one count each of receiving stolen property and flight to avoid apprehension.

He was arrested on the receiving charge on Oct. 1, 2018, by Lehighton police in the area of the Dunkin’ Donuts shop along Bridge Street. Police responded to the area for a report of drug activity. On scene, officers observed a vehicle with occupants. The vehicle was searched and a wallet, reported stolen earlier at the Walmart store in Mahoning Township, was found. Lienhard admitted his part in the wallet theft.

The flight to avoid apprehension occurred on July 3, 2019, when sheriff deputies attempted to serve a warrant on Lienhard at a West Columbus Avenue address in Nesquehoning. Lienhard fled into nearby woods. He was later arrested on the charge.

Lienhard admitted to a drug addiction problem but addressed it by completing an inpatient program of 28 days.

Nanovic placed him on probation for a year on each charge with the terms running consecutively and ordered he get a drug and alcohol evaluation and zero tolerance imposed on drug or alcohol use.

Steven Michael Mika, 34, of Lansford, pleaded to one count of persistent disorderly conduct. He was arrested on Dec. 2, 2018, by Nesquehoning police at the county prison where he was found to be in possession of a cellphone, prohibited for inmates. In a plea bargain with the district attorney’s office, a charge of contraband into the prison was dropped and the conduct charge was added to the original complaint.

Nanovic placed him on probation for a year, concurrent to a sentence he is now serving, and ordered him to get a drug and alcohol evaluation and zero tolerance imposed on drug or alcohol use.

Joshua Brady Willassen, 40, of Weissport, pleaded to one count of false identification to law enforcement. He was arrested on Nov. 21, 2019, by sheriff deputies. The deputies were investigating individuals on county property near the Lehigh River and railroad tracks in Lehighton. When asked for information, Willassen gave his brother’s name. Deputies learned a short time later that he had lied and placed him under arrest.

Willassen is currently an inmate in the county prison facing a probation violation charge. Nanovic sentenced him to serve one to 12 months in prison with credit for 64 days already served and paroled. He will remain in custody until the probation matter is addressed.

Roberto Santiago, 43, of Lansford, pleaded to one count of harassment, as a summary offense, with two counts of simple assault dropped in a plea deal with the district attorney’s office.

He was arrested on Aug. 18, 2019, by Lansford police following a domestic incident at his residence along East Patterson Street. The female victim reported he had assaulted her. The victim agreed to the plea deal, it was noted.

Nanovic imposed a fine of $300.

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