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Six enter guilty pleas and are sentenced

Six persons facing criminal charges entered guilty pleas on Tuesday in Carbon County court.

Judge Steven R. Serfass accepted the pleas and imposed sentences as follows:Amanda M. Dana, 24, of Pocono Lake, pleaded to one count of false reports to incriminate another.She was stopped for speeding on Aug. 28, 2009, by Beaver Meadows police along Broad St. (SR93). She was cited for going 60 miles-per-hour in a 35 zone. At the stop she gave her sister's name, Julia A. Dana, and information. At the preliminary hearing in the matter Julia Dana appeared and said her sister falsely used her name.Serfass placed her on probation for a year. On the speeding charge he imposed a fine of $75 and costs.James W. Furmanchin, 39, of Weatherly, pleaded to one count of driving under the influence (DUI). He was arrested on Nov. 19, 2009, along Plane St., in Weatherly, after being involved an accident. Given a test, the result was .17BAC.Serfass sentenced him to serve 48 hours to six months in jail, a fine of $500, one year license suspension, get a drug and alcohol (D&A) evaluation and follow any recommendation for treatment, and make restitution of $169.35 to Weatherly borough.He will begin the jail term at 4 p.m. on Friday.Zachary Peter Lesko, 23, of Weatherly, pleaded to one count of theft. He was arrested on Nov. 17, 2009, by state police at Hazleton for entering the home of Mary Ellen Lesko, of Stagecoach Rd., Lausanne Township, and removing money and jewelry. A burglary charge was dropped in a plea bargain.Lesko admitted to a drug addiction problem but said he addressed it by entering a inpatient treatment program and is currently in a halfway house.Serfass placed him on probation for two years and ordered he pay restitution of $50 to the victim and render 25 hours of community service.Trevor G. Sommerfield, 28, of Jim Thorpe, pleaded to one count of DUI. He was arrested on Oct. 31, 2009, along the northeast extension of the turnpike in Kidder Township when state police responed to a report of a disabled vehicle. Troopers found Sommerfield sleeping in the vehicle. Given a test, the result revealed a .29BAC.Serfass sentenced him to serve five days to six months in jail, a fine of $500, one year license suspension and a D&A evaulation. On a summary offense he was fined $200 and costs.He will begin the jail term at noon on Friday.Christian Anton Guzman-Olmeda, 35, of Hazleton, pleaded to one count of DUI. He was arrested on Sept. 25, 2009, along the Sgt. Stanley Hoffman Blvd., in Lehighton. He was stopped at a sobriety checkpoint. Given a test, the result was .13BAC.Serfass sentenced him to serve five days to six months in jail, a fine of $500, one year license suspension, and ordered to get a D&A evaluation.He will begin the jail term at 7 p.m. on Friday and serve the time on consecutive weekens.Rhonda J. McFarland, 33, of Nesquehoning, pleaded to one count of criminal attempt-theft. She was arrested on Dec. 13, 2009, at the Top Star Gas Station in Nesquehoning. Police were called to the business, where McFarland was employed, by the manager who showed them a video surveillance of the defendant taking $50 from a cash box and concealing it in an apparent attempt to take the money.Serfass placed her on probation for a year and ordered she render 15 hours of community service.Each defendant must also pay all court costs and a $50 per month supervision fee while on probation or parole.