Carbon County court – drug cases

A total of eight defendants in pending drug-related cases recently entered guilty pleas in Carbon County court.

Judge Joseph J. Matika accepted pleas from the following:

Tyler Joseph Kostak, 28, of Nesquehoning, pleaded to one count each of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, resisting arrest and driving under the influence. He was arrested on April 27, 2018, by Nesquehoning police following a traffic stop. He was originally charged with 11 counts, including fleeing police.

He was sentenced to serve one day less 12 to one day less 24 months in the county prison with credit for 301 days already served. He was also ordered to enter and successfully complete an outpatient drug treatment program, render 100 hours of community service and was made eligible for work release privileges. On the DUI count he was placed on probation for six months, concurrent with the other sentences, and ordered to pay a fine of $300.

On a parole violation he was placed on probation for a year, consecutive to the first count.

Eric Berger, 34, of Lansford, pleaded to one count of possession of drug paraphernalia. He was arrested on Sept. 21, 2018, by Lansford police.

He was placed on probation for six months and ordered to get a drug and alcohol evaluation and follow any recommendation for treatment and render 25 hours of community service.

Derek Lee Thompson, 26, of Nesquehoning, pleaded in two pending cases to one count each of possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

He was arrested on the first count on Sept. 7, 2018, and on the second Nov. 5, 2018, both by Lansford police.

He was placed on probation for a year on each count, running concurrently, and ordered to get a drug and alcohol evaluation and render 50 hours of community service.

Carina Leach, 21, of Tamaqua, pleaded to two counts of possession of a controlled substance. She was arrested on March 16, 2018, by Lansford police.

She was placed on probation for a year on each count, running concurrently, and ordered to get a drug and alcohol evaluation and render 50 hours of community service.

Troy D. Lewis, 40, of Brooklyn, New York, pleaded to one count of possession of drug paraphernalia. He was arrested on Dec. 25, 2018, by Lansford police.

He was ordered to pay a fine of $300.

James Gregory Jelleyman, 23, of Summit Hill, pleaded to one count of possession of drug paraphernalia. He was arrested on March 16, 2018, by Summit Hill police.

He was placed on probation for six months and ordered to render 25 hours of community service.

Andrew Arnold, 30, of Brodheadsville, pleaded to one count of possession of a controlled substance. He was arrested on May 21, 2018, by Palmerton police.

He was placed on probation for a year and ordered to get a drug and alcohol evaluation and render 50 hours of community service.

Dena Betz, 39, of Lehighton, pleaded to two counts of possession of drug paraphernalia and one count of DUI. She was arrested on Aug. 13, 2017, by Jim Thorpe police, and on April 18, 2018, by Lansford police, on the drug counts, and DUI on April 18.

She was placed on probation for a year on each drug count and six months on the DUI, running concurrent to each other, but consecutive to a prior sentence she is now serving. She was also ordered to get a drug and alcohol evaluation and render 50 hours of community service. Also, on the DUI charge she was fined $300.

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