Carbon County court

Two Carbon County residents, who previously pleaded guilty to drug-related charges, were sentenced on Thursday morning to state prison terms by Judge Steven R. Serfass.

Nothing done

Michael James Miller, 50, of Lansford, was sentenced to serve 12 to 36 months in a state correctional institution after the court rejected his request for a county term.

Serfass rejected the request, noting Miller’s long criminal record, which the judge stated went back “to the Ronald Reagan presidency.”

Serfass also said, “You have to do something about your drug problem. Don’t just say you’re going to do something.” He added, “I see no effort or commitment on his part to correct his problem.”

Miller told the court, “I made a lot of mistakes. I’s going to a rehab.”

Serfass said Miller’s drug needs will be better addressed in the state prison system.

Miller had pleaded to one count each of possession of a controlled substance and possession of the paraphernalia. On the paraphernalia charge Serfass sentenced him to serve six to 12 months in a state prison, concurrent with the first count.

He was arrested by Lansford police on Aug. 25, 2019, following a traffic stop. Police made the stop to serve a bench warrant on Miller. While taking him into custody, illegal substances were found.

In addition to the jail term, Serfass ordered Miller to supply a DNA sample, get a drug and alcohol evaluation and follow any recommendation for treatment and zero tolerance for drug or alcohol use.

Miller has been in the county prison on the charges and also on probation/parole violations.

Drug dealing

Steven Richard Swartz, 31, of Palmerton, was sentenced to serve 27 to 60 months in a state correctional institution on a charge of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance.

He was arrested on Sept. 25, 2019, by Lehighton police at a residence along Susquehanna Street. The arrest was part of a county drug task force investigation of a drug operation.

Members of the task force learned from a confidential informant that Swartz had gone to the Hazleton area to purchase methamphetamine and bring it back to Carbon County to distribute. The police report indicated that $4,000 worth of meth was purchased by Swartz, but he disputed that amount, saying it was much less.

Serfass rejected the request of defense attorney Eric James Filer to sentence Swartz in the mitigated range.

Assistant District Attorney Brian Gazo said he opposed any mitigated range sentence, saying it was not appropriate. He said Swartz could apply for the new state drug program.

Swartz is currently an inmate in the state prison at Mahanoy, Schuylkill County, where he was going to be evaluated for the state Intermediate Punishment program. However, that program was discontinued in December and replaced with a new drug treatment program.

Swartz was also ordered to supply a DNA sample, get a drug and alcohol evaluation and zero tolerance for drug or alcohol use. He was given credit for 15 days already served on the sentence.

Each defendant must also pay court costs of about $1,000.