A Carbon County woman was sentenced to a state prison term on Friday for her part in a drug dealing ring in the county.

Susan Annette Rex, 57, formerly of Nesquehoning and now listing an address in Palmerton, was sentenced by Judge Steven R. Serfass to serve a total of 21 to 45 months in a state correctional institution. Rex was one of seven defendants rounded up earlier in 2016 and charged with operating a crystal methamphetamine ring in Carbon and Lehigh counties. She previously pleaded guilty to one count each of corrupt organization, criminal conspiracy — possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance. In exchange for the plea, the state Attorney General’s office agreed to drop another count of possession with intent along with counts of possession of a controlled substance, dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity and criminal use of a communication facility.Rex and the six others were arrested during a roundup on June 10.According to criminal complaints filed by the AG office in support of the charges, investigators identified Edilberto Ortiz Jr., 45, 1236 W. Tilghman St., Allentown, as a main distributor who supplied six people with methamphetamine. Those people later redistributed the drugs to their customers.Officials said the activity occurred between January and March 2016.Investigators used confidential informants for controlled purchases of methamphetamine over the course of the investigation.More than 4 pounds of methamphetamine were seized from a residence where Ortiz was staying, investigators reported in a criminal complaint.That search also resulted in the seizure of a .32-caliber handgun, roughly $2,400 and drug paraphernalia.Searches of other residences resulted in the seizure of various quantities of methamphetamine, cash, digital scales and drug paraphernalia.Arrested with Susan Rex and Ortiz were Holly Ann Eckhart, 50, of Palmerton; Richard E. Moyer, 57, of Lehighton; Robert David Rex, 58, of Lansford; Connie Serfass, 60, of Lehighton; and Donna Marie Ziegenfuss, 54, of Palmerton.Rex’s sentencing was delayed when she applied for placement in the state’s Intermediate Punishment Program. She was transferred to the state prison at Muncy, Lycoming County, to be evaluated.However, on Friday she told Serfass she decided not to seek placement in the program and wanted to be sentenced on the charges.Before her arrest in the drug case, Rex’s other criminal charges occurred 30 to 40 years ago. She said she got involved in the drug dealing when she became addicted to drugs.She told Serfass, “I lost everything, but I didn’t lose my daughters or grandchildren.” She said her family has stood by her through the entire case. She added, “I’m truly sorry.”Defense attorney Joseph V. Sebelin Jr., court-appointed, noted that Rex cooperated immediately with authorities after her arrest. Seblin asked Serfass to sentence Rex to a minimum of 18 months, which is the lowest end of the sentencing guidelines. Serfass rejected that request, stating he had to take into consideration the seriousness of what occurred and the charges she pleaded to.In addition to the prison term, Serfass ordered Rex to supply a DNA sample, get a drug and alcohol evaluation and follow any recommendation for treatment, zero tolerance for drug and alcohol use, pay court costs of about $1,000, and when released on parole render 300 hours of community service.She was given credit for 321 days already spent in jail on the charges.