Three persons placed in probation program

Three first time offenders in criminal cases were placed in Carbon County's Accelerated Rehabilitation Disposition (ARD) probation program on Tuesday by Judge Steven R. Serfass.

If a person successfully completes all conditions of the program their record is wiped clean. However, if they fail to complete the program or are revoked from it the Commonwealth reserves the right to prosecute them on all pending charges. A person does not admit guilty in entering the program.

Those placed by Serfass included:

Carl Ambrose, 21, of Freeland, was placed for a year on a charge of fleeing or attempting to elude police. Ambrose was arrested on Sept. 13, 2009, along Buck Mountain Road in Weatherly where he was observed operating a All Terrain Vehicle on the road, borough police said.

Serfass ordered him to pay $350 for the program, make restitution of $260 to the borough, and render 15 hours of community service.

Jacob J. Canzoneri, 27, of Nesquehoning, was placed for two years on a charge of driving under the influence (DUI). He was arrested on Dec. 4, 2009, along Patterson St., in Lansford. Given a test, the result showed the presence of a controlled substance in his system.

Serfass ordered he pay $350 for the program, license suspended for 60 days, get a drug and alcohol (D&A) evaluation and follow any recommendation for treatment, and render three hours of community service per month while in the program.

Quoc D.L. Pham, 42, of Hazleton, was placed for two years on a DUI charge. He was arrested on Nov. 9, 2009, along Broad St. (SR93), in Beaver Meadows, for speeding. He was found to be under the influence. Given a test, the result was .29BAC.

Serfass ordered him to pay $450 for the program, get a D&A evaluation, and license suspended for 60 days.

The three were also ordered to pay court costs and pay a $50 per month supervision fee.