Carbon man sent to state prison for trespass and theft counts

A Carbon County man was sentenced to a state prison term on trespass and theft charges last week.

Judge Steven R. Serfass sentenced Eric M. Williams, 46, of Lehighton, to serve a total of 14 to 60 months in a state correctional institution.

He previously pleaded guilty to one count each of criminal trespass, theft, retail theft and two counts of receiving stolen property.

He admitted entering a home along South Third Street in Lehighton on Nov. 21, 2017, and removing various items. He also admitted to a receiving count when Lehighton police said he sold a vehicle to a borough resident but never produced the title despite repeated attempts by the victim and police to have him produce the document.

The retail theft incident occurred at the Walmart store in Mahoning Township on Feb. 28, 2017, when he took items valued at $79.

Defense Attorney Matthew J. Mottola, of the public defender’s office, told the court that Williams has mental health issues and needs help. He is currently receiving counseling for those issues. Williams also has a detainer filed against him by the state of Florida for pending criminal charges.

Williams’ wife and daughter asked the court to impose a county sentence.

In addition to the prison term Serfass ordered Williams to get both drug and alcohol and mental health evaluations, pay court costs of about $1,000, pay restitution of $807.56 and supply a DNA sample.

Williams, who has been in the county prison on the charges, was given credit for 220 days already served.