Carbon man facing long prison term for firearm possession

A Carbon County man is facing a long state prison term after pleading guilty on Monday in the county court to a gun possession charge.

Donald Allen Barlip, 53, of Lansford, pleaded to one count of firearms not to be carried without a license, a felony 3. In exchange for the plea, charges of possession of a firearm prohibited, alter/obliterate mark of identification, possession of a firearm with manufacturer number altered, all felonies, were dropped.

Also dropped were several motor vehicle code summary offenses.

Barlip was arrested on March 10 by Lansford police in the area of Patterson and Leisinring streets following a vehicle stop. A .45-caliber handgun was found in the vehicle.

Judge Joseph J. Matika, who accepted the plea, told Barlip, because of his prior criminal record, he faces a prison sentence of somewhere between 30 and 46 months at the time of sentencing.

Matika deferred sentencing and ordered the adult probation to prepare a presentence investigation report.