Carbon man given state prison term for drug dealing count

A Carbon County man was sentenced to a state prison term on Tuesday on drug dealing and other charges.

Luis Colon, 28, of Lansford, was sentenced by Judge Steven R. Serfass to serve a total of 14 to 60 months in a state correctional institution on charges of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance — marijuana, possession of a controlled substance — marijuana, DUI and driving under suspension-DUI related. He previously pleaded to the charges.

Colon was arrested on the first drug count on Nov. 1, 2016, in Mahoning Township.

The investigation began when two Lehighton paramedic units were dispatched to the Mahoning Inn, along Blakeslee Boulevard, because two people were found unconscious in a room. Found in the room was Colon and Jessica Davis, 22, of Lehighton. Both were charged with various drug counts.

Colon was arrested on the second drug charge on Aug. 24, by Jim Thorpe police.

The DUI occurred on March 25, 2016, along East Alley in Lehighton, filed by state police at Lehighton. A blood test revealed the presence of a controlled substance.

Colon told the court he was trying to be a good citizen. He spent 34 days in an inpatient drug rehabilitation program.

In addition to the prison term, on the DUI count Serfass also imposed a fine of $1,000 and a one-year license suspension, and a fine of $1,000 on the suspension count.

He was also ordered to get both drug and alcohol and mental health evaluations, supply a DNA sample, pay court costs of about $1,000 and render 250 hours of community service when paroled.

He was given credit for time spent in the rehab program and also time spent in prison on the charges. He began the jail term immediately.

Davis was scheduled to enter a guilty plea on March 12 but failed to appear and had a bench warrant issued for her arrest. Court records indicate she has five pending criminal cases.