Kunkletown woman sent to state prison for drug dealing

A Kunkletown woman was sentenced to a state prison term on Friday after previously pleading guilty to a drug dealing charge.

Holly A. Eckhart, 53, was sentenced by President Judge Roger N. Nanovic II to serve 18 to 60 months in a state correctional institution on charges of corrupt organization and criminal conspiracy - possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance.

Eckhart was arrested as part of an ongoing investigation by agents of the state Attorney General’s office, local police and the county drug task force.

On March 15, 2016, police served a search warrant on a residence along Fritz Valley Road in Lower Towamensing Township. Eckhart was found in the home, along with methamphetamine and U.S. currency and items used in the packaging of drugs for sale. The investigation involved Carbon and Lehigh counties.

Defense attorney William A. Watkins asked for consideration of a county sentence, but added he realized that would be in the mitigated range of state sentencing guidelines.

He said Eckhart is employed and has gone through treatment for an addiction problem.

Deputy Attorney General Christie F. Bonesch, who prosecuted the case, noted that Eckhart has prior convictions for drug dealing involving methamphetamine. She said Eckhart was involved in the distribution of illegal substances to six or seven people over a period of three years.

In addition to the prison term, Nanovic ordered Eckhart to get both drug and alcohol and mental health evaluations and follow any recommendations for treatment, supply a DNA sample and pay court costs of about $1,000.

She was given credit for six days spent in jail on the charges and began the jail term immediately.