Four defendants entered guilty pleas before Judge Steven R. Serfass. All were scheduled to go on trial this week but instead entered plea bargains with the district attorney's office.

Shelly L. Filer, 43, of Palmerton, pleaded to two counts of thefts.Filer was arrested by state police at Lehighton for taking blank checks belonging to David Gruber and filling them out and cashing them for $80 on each occasion. The incidents occurred on Nov. 5, 2013, and April 24.Serfass deferred sentencing and ordered a PSILaroy Anderson, 22, of Williamsport, pleaded to one count each of driving under the influence and driving while under suspension.He was arrested on Jan. 27 along Interstate 80 in East Side Borough by state police at Fern Ridge. Given a test, the result showed the presence of a controlled substance.On the DUI charge he was sentenced to serve 72 hours to six months in prison, pay a fine of $1,000, one-year license suspension, get a drug and alcohol evaluation and follow any recommendation for treatment, and render 25 hours of community service. On the suspension count he was fined $200. The DUI sentence is consecutive to a jail term he is currently serving in the county prison on other criminal counts.Tyler Robert Billings, 22, of Palmerton, pleaded to one count of DUI.He was arrested on May 24, 2013, by state police at Lehighton along Forest Inn Road in Lower Towamensing Township after being involved in a accident. Given a test, the result was 0.07 BAC.He was sentenced to serve 48 hours to six months in jail, a fine of $500, one-year license suspension, get a D&A evaluation, and render 25 hours of community service. The term will run consecutive to a probation term he is currently serving.He will begin the jail term at 9 a.m. on Nov. 10.Ian M. Brobst, 32, of Palmerton, pleaded to one count of DUI.He was arrested on Dec. 23, 2012, along Delaware Avenue by Palmerton police. Given a test, the result was 0.27 BAC.A first offense, he was placed on probation for six months and ordered to pay a fine of $300, get a D&A evaluation, render 30 hours of community service, and attend and successfully complete anger management counseling.Each defendant sentenced must also pay court costs, which average about $1,000, and pay a $50 per month supervision fee while on probation or parole.