Lansford man placed in special program

A Lansford man who previously pleaded guilty in seven pending criminal cases was placed in a special state prison program on Monday in Carbon County court.

Michael A. Tessitore, 39, was placed in the state’s Intermediate Punishment program for a period of two years by Judge Steven R. Serfass. The program includes about seven months spent in a state correctional institution, followed by several months in an inpatient intensive drug and alcohol program followed by a period of time at a halfway house.

Tessitore previously pleaded to four driving under the influence charges along with counts of possession of drug paraphernalia, flight to avoid apprehension and recklessly endangering another person.

Tessitore, who is currently an inmate in the state prison at Camp Hill, Cumberland County, where he was evaluated and approved for the state program, told Serfass he was looking forward to completing the program and addressing his drug problem. The sentencing was done by video.

Defense attorney Paul J. Levy said his client has a severe alcohol and drug abuse problem.

On the DUI counts, Tessitore must also pay fines totaling $7,250, have license suspensions totaling 66 months and pay court costs of about $1,000.

Serfass imposed two years in the state program on each count, running concurrently.