Carbon man given state prison term for drug dealing count

A Carbon County man was sentenced to a state prison term on Monday afternoon after pleading guilty in the county court to a drug-dealing charge.

Judge Steven R. Serfass sentenced Kim K. Kershner, 53, of Lehighton, to serve 16 to 48 months in a state correctional institution on a charge of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance.

Serfass rejected a request by defense counsel, attorney Matthew J. Mottola, of the public defender’s office, to sentence Kershner to a county prison term.

Kershner was arrested as part of an ongoing investigation of drug distribution in the county by Lehighton police. During the course of the investigation, police learned that Kershner was distributing illegal drugs — heroin and methamphetamine — from his residence along North First Street.

Police obtained a search warrant for the home and found various drugs, drug distributing materials and drug paraphernalia in the home.

When asked by Serfass if he had anything to say before he imposed a sentence, Kershner said he did not.

In addition to the prison term Serfass ordered Kershner to supply a DNA sample, get a drug and alcohol evaluation and follow any recommendation for treatment, zero tolerance imposed for drug or alcohol use and pay court costs of about $1,000.

He was given credit for 217 days already spent in prison on the charge.