Five defendants in pending criminal cases enter guilty pleas before Judge Joseph J. Matika in Carbon County court on Friday.

Arnaldo Jose Ortiz, 18, of Coatesville, Chester County, pleaded to one count of escape.Ortiz admitted leaving the youth forestry camp at Hickory Run State Park, off Route 534, in Kidder Township, on June 6. He was later found hiding in bushes near the camp.Matika sentenced him to serve three to 12 months in prison with credit for 179 days already served and paroled him. It was noted he has a detainer filed against him by juvenile authorities in Chester County.Leroy William Biechy Jr., 25, of Lehighton, pleaded to one count of retail theft. He was arrested on Aug. 20 by Mahoning Township police at the Walmart store.He was placed on probation for a year and ordered to make restitution to Walmart for $289.38, render 50 hours of community service and stay out of the store.Daniel Christopher Schwartz, 28, of McAdoo pleaded to one count of retail theft. He was arrested on Oct. 29, 2015, by Mahoning Township police at the Walmart store.He is currently an inmate in the county prison and has pending charges in other counties, it was noted.Matika placed him on probation for a year and ordered he make restitution to the store for $109, render 50 hours of community service and stay out of the store.John J. Miller, 34, of Beaver Meadows, pleaded to one count of simple assault. He was charged by Beaver Meadows police with assaulting Charlene Rosko on June 2, pushing her over a bench.Matika sentenced him to serve six to one day less 24 months in prison, make restitution of $6,573.18 for medical expenses, get a drug and alcohol evaluation and follow all recommendations for treatment, zero tolerance for drug and alcohol use and render 50 hours of community service.He was given credit for 184 days spent in prison to date on the charge and paroled.Tammy Jean Heiserman, 40, of Weatherly, pleaded to one count of theft by deception. She was charged by Weatherly police with giving Mengle Coal & Oil Company a check for $219.50 on a closed account. She is currently an inmate in the county prison on other pending charges.Matika placed her on probation for a year and ordered her to make restitution of $219.50 to the victim and render 50 hours of community service.Nicole Kwasniak, 21, of Lansford, pleaded to one count of disorderly conduct as a summary offense which was added to the original complaint. A charge of possession of drug paraphernalia was dropped by the district attorney. She was arrested on May 26 by Lansford police in the area of 109 E. Patterson St.Matika imposed a fine of $300.All defendants sentenced must also pay court costs of about $1,000 and a $50 per month supervision fee while on probation or parole.