A Lehigh County resident who fled police on an all-terrain vehicle entered guilty pleas in two pending cases last week in Carbon County court.

He was one of four defendants charged with fleeing or attempting to elude police, and related offenses, to enter a plea before Judge Joseph J. Matika.Lansford incidentShawn Dennis Ketchledge, 39, of Whitehall, pleaded to a count of disposition of vehicle or vehicle part with altered vehicle identification number, a felony three, along with the fleeing count for an incident in Lansford. He also pleaded to possession of a controlled substance for an incident at the county prison in Nesquehoning.The Lansford incident occurred on March 27 when police saw him operating a ATV along Dock Street without registration or other requirements for the vehicle. He fled police at a high rate of speed but eventually stopped. The incident at the prison occurred on April 1 when prison officials found him with a fentanyl patch without a prescription for it.On the possession count, Matika sentenced him to serve 30 days to one year in jail with credit for 30 days already served and paroled him. On the disposition count and the fleeing charge he was placed on probation for a year on each, running concurrent with each other but consecutive to the drug charge. He was also ordered to get a drug and alcohol evaluation, supply a DNA sample and render a total of 100 hours of community service.Other pleasWaldemar Mercado-Cruz, 36, of Allentown, pleaded to a fleeing charge for an incident on Feb. 17 along Hunter Street in Nesquehoning. Borough police attempted to stop him for speeding but he fled. He later stopped and was taken into custody.Matika placed him on probation for a year and ordered he render 50 hours of community service.Michael James Douglas, 25, of Weatherly, pleaded to a fleeing count for an incident on June 11, 2016, in Weatherly. Borough police observed him speeding along Hudsondale Street and attempted to stop him. He fled the scene and police lost sight of him. He later turned himself in to police.He was placed on probation for year and ordered to render 50 hours of community service.Cory Michael Whitley, 24, of Tamaqua, pleaded to fleeing, driving under suspension, possession of a controlled substance - methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was arrested on Oct. 4, 2016, by Nesquehoning police along Route 209. Police attempted to stop him but he fled, eventually being caught. Meth and paraphernalia items were found during the stop.Matika deferred sentencing and ordered the adult probation office to prepare a presentence investigation report.Each defendant sentenced must also pay court costs of about $1,000 and a $50 per month supervision fee while on probation.