Carbon County court

A Carbon County man admitted in the county court on Tuesday morning to failing to enter a rehabilitation program as ordered and was sentenced to a state prison term.

He was one of four defendants in pending criminal cases to enter a guilty plea before Judge Steven R. Serfass.

Furlough

Chad Harrison Hartsell, 38, of Weissport, pleaded to one count of default in required appearance. The county court issued an order releasing him from the county prison to enter a Salvation Army inpatient drug and alcohol rehabilitation program in August 2019. Hartsell never reported to the rehab program, and per the release order, was to return to the county prison when released from the program or failing to report to it. He never returned to the prison and was later picked up on a bench warrant.

Serfass sentenced him to serve nine to 24 months in a state prison and ordered he get a drug and alcohol evaluation and follow any recommendation for treatment and zero tolerance for drug or alcohol use.

Hartsell is currently an inmate at the state correctional institution at Laurel Highlands, Somerset County, serving a one- to five-year term on a driving under the influence charge.

Serfass ruled his sentence run concurrent with the DUI term.

Other pleas

Clayton Michael Eberly, 23, of Stroudsburg, pleaded to one count of theft.

He admitted stealing a 10-speed bicycle from the porch of a Summit Hill home on Aug. 13, 2019.

He was placed on probation for a year and ordered to make restitution of $135, supply a DNA sample and render 50 hours of community service. The term runs consecutive to a probation sentence he is now serving.

Anthony F. Sorokaput, 34, of Lansford, pleaded to one count of communications with 911.

He admitted calling 911 in Schuylkill County to report an emergency at the intersection of Kline Avenue and Cortright Street, in Lansford, when there was no emergency. Schuylkill transferred the call to Carbon when operators learned the site of the alleged emergency was in Lansford.

Serfass placed him on probation for a year and ordered he get a drug and alcohol evaluation and follow any recommendation for treatment and render 50 hours of community service.

Tyler John Vanwhy, 21, of East Stroudsburg, pleaded to one count each of driving under the influence of a controlled substance and possession of a prohibitive offensive weapon, brass knuckles.

He was arrested by Lehighton police following a traffic stop on Aug. 23, 2019, along Route 443.

Sentencing was deferred so Vanwhy can obtain a drug and alcohol evaluation.

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