A Philadelphia man was sentenced to a state prison term on Thursday in Carbon County court on an assault count.

He was one of five defendants who previously entered guilty pleas and were sentenced by Judge Steven R. Serfass.

Lehighton incident

Corey Tremane White, 34, was sentenced in a charge of simple assault to serve 12 to 24 months in a state correctional institution. On a charge of obstruction in the administration of law, he was sentenced to the same term, concurrent, to the assault charge. On a driving under the influence count, he was sentenced to serve 72 hours to six months in jail, pay a fine of $1,000 and license suspended for a year.

Serfass told White because of his prior record score, sentencing guidelines call for a term of a minimum of 12 months, which makes it a state term.

The first two counts stem from an incident on Jan. 29, 2021, along Route 443, filed by Lehighton police. White locked himself in his vehicle and refused to open the door. Police had to force entry. The assault count occurred on Jan. 30, 2021, filed by Lehighton police. While White was at the Lehighton hospital, he struck a borough officer in the face. He had been taken to the hospital for mental health evaluation, which stemmed from the Jan. 29 stop.

White told the court that he was off his medication at the time of the incidents. His mother told the court when her son is using his medication properly, he is no problem to anyone.

In addition, the jail term and fines, Serfass also ordered White to get a mental health evaluation. He was given credit for 81 days already served. He began the jail term immediately.

DUI cases

Jeffrey Espinal, 26, of Lehighton, was sentenced in a DUI case to serve a probation period of 24 months in the Restrictive Conditions of Probation program (house arrest), with 10 days on electronic monitoring, pay a fine of $500, one year license suspension and render 100 hours of community service.

Prior to the sentencing a parole revocation proceeding was conducted. Espinal was on parole for another DUI at the time of the arrest in the instant case. Through an agreement between the defendant, probation office and district attorney’s office, Espinal admitted to the violation will serve 45 days “back time.” The time will be served concurrent with the latest charge.

He was arrested on Jan. 28, 2021, by state police at Lehighton.

It was indicated that his new minimum term will end on July 11. He is currently serving a consecutive two-day weekend sentence on the DUIs at the county prison.

John Matthew Yankauskas,Michael Everett, 46, of Lehighton, was sentenced to serve 90 days to 60 months in jail, pay a fine of $1,500, license suspended for 18 months and render 100 hours of community service. On a charge or driving under suspension - DUI related, he was sentenced to serve 45 to 90 days in jail and pay a fine of $1,000. The jail terms run concurrently.

He arrested on March 4, 2020, by state police at Lehighton, for DUI of a controlled substance.

He is currently an inmate in the county prison on a probation violation petition.

Jonathan H. Burak, 41, of Jim Thorpe, was placed on probation for 90 days in the Restrictive Conditions of Probation program (house arrest) and ordered to pay a fine of $500. The period will be on electronic monitoring.

He was arrested on Jan. 9, 2021, along Route 209 in Mahoning Township by state police at Lehighton. A test showed the presence of a controlled substance.

Each defendant must also pay court costs of over $1,000 and a $50 per month supervision fee while on probation or parole.