Jim Thorpe man gets state prison in drug case

A Jim Thorpe man was sentenced Friday to two to four years in state prison after pleading guilty in Carbon County Court to possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and driving with a suspended license.

Roberto Magobet, 41, was arrested in May following a traffic stop in Lehighton Borough.

According to an affidavit of probable cause filed by patrolman Bruce Broyles, he stopped Magobet’s vehicle as it was turning from Mahoning Street onto North Seventh Street for a window tint violation.

Police searched the vehicle and found a black lockbox with various items of drug paraphernalia including a scale and plastic bags. Officers also found that Magobet had 1.5 grams of methamphetamine.

When searched by police, Magobet had $829 in cash in his pocket.

He told police he was selling drugs to “make a little money.”

Magobet’s license was on suspension from a prior driving under the influence conviction. He was arrested on Feb. 2 by Lansford police along Bertsch Street. He pleaded to one count of driving under suspension, DUI related and was sentenced in Oct. by President Judge Roger Nanovic to six to 12 months in prison for that conviction.

As part of Friday’s sentence, Magobet was ordered by Nanovic to serve one year on probation following his jail term.

Charges dismissed as part of Friday’s plea deal included altered, forged or counterfeit documents and plates; tampering with or fabricating evidence; possession of a controlled substance; possession of marijuana; three counts of driving under the influence of a controlled substance; and operating a vehicle without the required equipment or in an unsafe condition.