Two defendants were sentenced to state prison terms on Friday in drug dealing cases.

Both appeared before Judge Joseph J. Matika.

Sold to CI

Shawn Michael Murphy

, 39, currently an inmate in the county prison, was sentenced to serve one to two years in a state correctional institution on a charge of criminal use of a communication facility.

He was arrested on May 30, 2018, by Lansford police after he sold methamphetamine to a confidential informant in a parking lot of the Panther Valley football stadium. The sale was arranged by cellphone.

Matika rejected a request by Murphy to sentence him to a county prison term and also to release him on furlough for 72 hours so he can arrange for entry into an inpatient drug and alcohol rehabilitation program.

The adult probation office opposed the release, noting that he had prior revocations of parole/probations for violating conditions. It was also noted he has 13 prior criminal convictions on his record.

Matika said he was well aware of Murphy and his struggles with drugs and mental health issues. He also rejected a request to sentence Murphy in the mitigated range of state sentencing guidelines, stating, “There is no reason for a mitigated sentence.”

Matika also said that Murphy is no longer amenable to county incarceration and that the state systems offers him the best programs to help his drug problem.

In addition to the jail term, Matika also ordered Murphy to get a drug and alcohol evaluation and follow any recommendation for treatment, supply a DNA sample, pay court costs of about $1,000 and render 50 hours of community service when paroled.

He was given credit for 204 days already spent in prison on the charge.

Vehicle stop

Alvin M. Jefferies

, 34, of Osceola Mills, Clearfield County, was sentenced to serve 24 to 48 months in a state correctional institution on a charge of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, cocaine.

Jefferies was arrested following a traffic stop along Interstate 80 in Kidder Township by state police at Fern Ridge on Sept. 4, 2018.

Jefferies was the driver of the vehicle and had a passenger, identified as Jamie Lynn Lansberry, 36, of Altoona, Blair County. During a check, troopers learned that Jefferies had an active warrant for his arrest.

A probable cause search was executed on the vehicle, resulting in the seizure of about 115 grams of marijuana and 14 grams of suspected cocaine.

Jefferies and Lansberry were transported to the Fern Ridge barracks. Both were charged and later incarcerated in the county prison after failing to post bail.

Matika told Jefferies, “You have a history of drug-related convictions. It’s time for you to do a 180 in your life.”

In addition to the prison term Matika ordered Jefferies to get a drug and alcohol evaluation, supply a DNA sample, pay court costs of about $1,000 and when released on parole render 100 hours of community service. Matika made Jefferies eligible for the state boot camp program. When Jefferies gets to the state prison he will be evaluated for the program, but the state Department of Corrections has the final say if he gets into the program.

Lansberry is scheduled to go on trial in April on the charges filed against her.

Probation term

Michael Gerald Snyder

, 25, of Summit Hill, was placed on probation for 18 months on a charge of criminal use of a communication facility.

He was arrested by Summit Hill police and agents of the AG office after he sold drugs to a confidential informant. He used a cellphone to set up the sale.

He was also ordered to get a drug and alcohol evaluation, supply a DNA sample, render 75 hours of community service, pay court costs of $1,000 and pay a $50 per month supervision fee.

Snyder said he spent 30 days in a inpatient drug rehab program and is continuing drug counseling.