New York man sentenced to state prison in home invasion incident

A New York state man was sentenced to a state prison term on Thursday in Carbon County court after pleading guilty to charges related to a home invasion incident in Penn Forest Township.

James Adams Jr., 27, of Arverne, was sentenced by Judge Steven R. Serfass to serve a total of 24 to 48 months in a state correctional institution. He pleaded to charges of robbery, simple assault, terroristic threats and criminal trespass. The robbery and trespass counts are felonies. In exchange for the plea other counts, including robbery, aggravated assault and burglary were dropped. He was originally charged with 13 criminal counts.

Adams was charged by state police at Fern Ridge for an incident on Sept. 9, 2017, at a residence along Pohopoco Lane. Troopers said late in the evening and during the early morning hours Adams and another male forcibly entered the home of an elderly couple. Once inside, troopers said, Adams pushed the woman to the floor and held a gun to her head, demanding “all the money” and saying he would kill her if he didn’t get it. He and the other man eventually left, taking some cash and other items.

The second man in the incident has never been identified.

Adams, when asked by Serfass if he had anything to say, responded by saying, “I apologize to the court.” Adams has been in jail since his arrest. Troopers, through their investigation, identified Adams as one of the two to enter the home.

Assistant District Attorney Brian Gazo, who prosecuted the case, said the plea agreement was appropriate. He added that the victims and the arresting trooper also agreed with the disposition of the case.

Serfass added, “I agree this is an appropriate resolution of the matter.”

In addition to the prison term, Adams was ordered to supply a DNA sample, pay court costs of about $1,000, make restitution totaling $404 to the victims and have no contact with the victims.

He was given credit for 372 days already served in prison on the charges.