Two plead to drug counts

Two defendants in pending criminal cases entered guilty pleas this week in Carbon County court.

Both appeared before Judge Joseph J. Matika.

Christopher D. Bemelmans, 39, of Bethlehem, pleaded to one count of possession of drug paraphernalia. He was arrested on Aug. 9, 2017, following a vehicle stop along Delaware Avenue by Palmerton police. A charge of driving under the influence was dropped.

Matika placed him on probation for six months and ordered he get a drug and alcohol evaluation and follow any recommendation for treatment and render 25 hours of community service.

Jimenez Franklin Estevez, 27, of Hazleton, pleaded to one count of possession of drug paraphernalia. He was arrested on June 16, 2016, following a traffic stop along Route 248 by Palmerton police. Found in the vehicle were 560 baggies used to package heroin. A felony count of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance was dropped in a plea bargain with the district attorney’s office.

He was placed on probation for six months and ordered to render 25 hours of community service.

Both men must also pay court costs of about $1,000 and pay a $50 per month supervision fee while on probation.