Another defendant in a drug-selling ring was sentenced to a state prison term on Tuesday.

Robert David Rex, 59, of Lansford, was sentenced by Judge Steven R. Serfass to serve a total of two to five years in a state correctional institution on charges of corrupt organization; criminal conspiracy, possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance; and possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance. He previously pleaded to the charges.

Rex was one of seven rounded up on June 10, 2016, and charged with operating a crystal methamphetamine ring in Carbon and Lehigh counties.

Arrested with him were Edilberto Ortiz Jr., 45, of West Tilghman Street, Allentown; Holly Ann Eckhart, 50, of Palmerton; Richard E. Moyer, 57, of Lehighton; Connie Serfass, 60, of Lehighton; Donna Marie Ziegenfuss, 54, of Palmerton; and Susan Rex, 57, of Nesquehoning.

Serfass, Moyer and Susan Rex have previously pleaded in the case. Ortiz was to plead guilty in September but changed his mind on the day of his scheduled plea and his case is now listed for trial during the February 2018 term of court.

AG investigation

According to criminal complaints filed by the attorney general’s office in support of the charges, investigators identified Ortiz 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 in cash and drug paraphernalia.

Searches of other residences resulted in the seizure of various quantities of methamphetamine, cash, digital scales and drug paraphernalia.

In addition to the prison term, Rex was ordered to supply a DNA sample, get a comprehensive drug and alcohol evaluation, zero tolerance for drug and alcohol use and pay court costs of about $1,000.

Rex, who has been in the county prison since his arrest, was given credit for 504 days.

Another defendant in the case who previously pleaded guilty, Connie Serfass, had her sentencing continued Tuesday.