Slatington man facing state prison term after guilty pleas

A Slatington man is facing a state prison term after pleading guilty Monday afternoon in Carbon County court to two criminal counts.

Nestor Ariel Alvarez, 25, pleaded guilty to one count of receiving stolen property, a felony; and one count of possession of a controlled substance, contraband, into a prison, also a felony.

Alvarez was arrested following a vehicle stop on Sept. 28, 2018, along Mauch Chunk Street by Mahoning Township police.

An AR-15 rifle was found in the trunk during a search of the vehicle. Alvarez admitted stealing the gun from an Allentown residence.

While being processed into the county prison the next day, Alvarez was found to have Suboxone on him.

Nesquehoning police filed the drug charges.

Judge Steven R. Serfass told Alvarez he faces a state prison term at the time of sentencing based on state sentencing guidelines. Alvarez has been in the county prison since his arrest.

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