New York state man admits to drug count, faces jail time

A New York state resident admitted in Carbon County court on Thursday to a drug dealing charge and is facing a state prison term at the time of sentencing.

Michael Newton, 36, of Jamestown, pleaded to one count of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance – heroin, before Judge Joseph J. Matika. In exchange for the plea, the district attorney’s office agreed to drop another count of PWID, two counts of possession of a controlled substance and one count of possession of drug paraphernalia.

Newton was arrested on Nov. 7, 2018, following a traffic stop along Interstate 80 by state police at Fern Ridge.

Per the agreement, Newton faces a prison term of 24 to 48 months in a state correctional institution.

Matika cautioned Newton that the court was not a party to the agreement and does not have to go along with it at the time of sentencing. He also said if he decided not to go along with the agreement he would give Newton an opportunity to withdraw his plea.

Sentencing was deferred to 9 a.m. on May 15.