Carbon County court - drug cases
A Weissport woman was given a time-served sentence on a drug charge.
She was one of four defendants who previously pleaded guilty who were sentenced in Carbon County court on Friday by Judge Joseph J. Matika.Erin Nichole Fisher, 22, was sentenced to time-serve (62 days) to one year in jail on a charge of possession of drug paraphernalia and one year probation on a charge of unauthorized use of an automobile. The terms run consecutive to each other. The 62 days includes time spent in a rehabilitation program and jail.She was arrested by Palmerton police after she took a vehicle of a borough resident to get items for the person. However, she never returned the vehicle. On Oct. 17 borough police stopped her in the 200 block of Delaware Avenue with the vehicle. While taking her into custody, drug paraphernalia was found on her person.She said she spent 22 days in an inpatient rehabilitation program but then relapsed. She entered another program for 28 days. She also spent 38 days in prison the charges.Matika also ordered her to get a drug and alcohol evaluation, supply a DNA sample and render a total of 125 hours of community service.Drug countsCarol Lynn Natale, 43, of Lehighton, was sentenced on three drug counts and one of resisting arrest.Matika sentenced her to serve 129 days in prison and when paroled enter a inpatient rehabilitation center. She will also spent 239 days in the county's Intermediate Punishment Program - house arrest, zero tolerance for drug and alcohol use and render a total of 100 hours of community service.On other charges she was placed on probation for two years consecutive to the prison term.She was arrested on the resisting count and one paraphernalia charge on July 15, 2016, in the 200 block of Center Street by Mahoning Township police. Police went to assist sheriff deputies in serving a warrant on Natale and she struggled with one of the deputies.The other drug count incidents occurred on Jan. 30, 2016, along Route 209 by Nesquehoning police following a traffic stop; and March 31, 2016, by Palmerton police at the Dollar General Store along Delaware Avenue.Other casesDaniel Rolon, 26, of Lansford, was placed on probation for two years on charges of criminal trespass and theft.He was arrested on April 11, 2016, for an entry at a property on the 300 block of East Bertsch Street by Lansford police. The property was unoccupied at the time. There were three co-defendants in the case in which stereo equipment and a safe were taken.One of the co-defendants was his mother, who he said told him to enter the property.He told Matika, "It was a stupid decision."He was also ordered to render 100 hours of community service, supply a DNA sample, get a drug and alcohol evaluation, zero tolerance for drug and alcohol use, have no contact with the victim and pay restitution of $100.Susan Lynn Steinhauser, 35, of Saylorsburg, was sentenced to serve 90 days to two years in prison on a driving under the influence charge.She was arrested on Aug. 20, 2015, by state police at Lehighton along Route 443 in Mahoning Township. A test revealed the presence of a controlled substance.She was also ordered to pay a fine of $1,500, license suspended for 18 months, zero tolerance for drug and alcohol use and render 100 hours of community service.She was given credit for a total of 99 days spent in inpatient rehab programs and paroled.Each defendant must also pay court costs of about $1,000 and a $50 per month supervision fee while on parole or probation.