Carbon County court – DUI

Nine defendants who previously entered guilty pleas to driving under the influence charges were sentenced on Friday in Carbon County court.

Judge Steven R. Serfass imposed sentences on the following:

James Joseph Golab, 49, of Lehighton, was sentenced to serve 12 to 60 months in a state correctional institution, pay a fine of $2,500, his license was suspended for 18 months and zero tolerance on drug or alcohol use. On a charge of driving under suspension — DUI related, he was sentenced to serve 24 to 60 months in a state correctional institution.

He was arrested on May 18 by Lehighton police along Bridge Street. A test revealed the presence of a controlled substance.

The two terms run concurrent with each other and concurrent with a state term of 24 to 60 months he is currently serving on a sentence imposed in Northampton County.

Matthew Charles Merkel, 49, of Palmerton, was placed on probation for 60 months and ordered to pay a fine of $1,000 and his license was suspended for 18 months. On a charge of endangering the welfare of a child, he was sentenced to serve three to one day less 24 months in prison. He was also ordered to render a total of 200 hours of community service.

He was given credit for 27 days spent in an inpatient rehab program. He will begin the jail term at 9 a.m. on Feb. 15.

He arrested on July 4 along Forest Inn Road in Towamensing Township by state police at Lehighton. A test revealed a 0.08 BAC. He had his 9-year-old son in the vehicle at the time of the stop.

Brad Allen Begel, 57, of Lehighton, was sentenced to serve 90 days to 60 months in prison, a fine of $1,500, one-year license suspension and render 100 hours of community service.

He arrested on Aug. 20, 2016, by Lehighton police along Route 209. He refused a test.

He will begin the jail term at 9 a.m. on Jan. 26 and serve it on consecutive two-day weekends.

Melissa L. Primer, 44, of Lehighton, was sentenced to serve 72 hours to six months in jail, a fine of $1,000 and one-year license suspension. On a charge of possession of a small amount of marijuana she was placed on probation for 18 months, concurrent with the DUI charge.

She was arrested on March 23, 2018, by Lehighton police along Second Street. A test revealed the presence of a controlled substance.

She begins the jail term at 9 a.m. on Feb. 7.

Daniel Quaca, 50, of Lehighton, was sentenced to serve 10 days to 24 months in prison, a fine of $500, one-year license suspension and render 100 hours of community service.

He arrested on June 13, 2017, along Bridge Street by Lehighton police. A test revealed a 0.15 BAC.

He will begin the jail term at 6 p.m. on Jan. 25.

Henry Gianguzi, 43, of Danielsville, was sentenced to serve 90 days to 60 months in a state correctional institution, a fine of $1,500 and his license was suspended for 18 months. On a charge of driving under suspension, he was fined $500.

He was arrested on May 26 by Palmerton police along Third Street. He refused a test.

The term runs concurrent with a state prison sentence of one to three years for DUI imposed in Dauphin County.

Donald Zarillo, 33, of Lehighton, was sentenced to serve 72 hours to six months in jail, a fine of $1,000, one-year license suspension and 25 hours of community service.

He was arrested on June 15 along East Street by Palmerton police. He refused a test.

He began the jail term immediately.

Justin Schmidt, 32, of Kresgeville, was sentenced to serve 90 days to 60 months in prison, a fine of $1,500, one-year license suspension and 100 hours of community service. On a charge of driving under suspension — DUI related, he was sentenced to serve 45 to 90 days in prison, concurrent with the DUI count.

He was arrested on Oct. 16, 2011, along Route 248 in Parryville. A test showed 0.15 BAC. He was previously in the Accelerated Rehabilitation Disposition probation program but was revoked for violating conditions.

He will begin the jail term at 9 a.m. on Feb. 15.

Edward Robert Dalcero Jr., 40, of Albrightsville, was placed on probation for six months and ordered to pay a fine of $300 and render 25 hours of community service for a first offense.

He was arrested on Aug. 15, 2014, along Old Stage Road in Albrightsville, Penn Forest Township, by state police at Fern Ridge. A test showed 0.28 BAC.

Each defendant must also pay court costs of about $1,000, a $50 per month supervision fee while on parole or probation and follow any recommendation of their drug and alcohol evaluation.