A Carbon County man entered a guilty plea in the county court to drug dealing. He was one of several defendants who were scheduled to go on trial this week.
Thorpe incident
Earl A. Eldridge, 32, of Jim Thorpe pleaded to one count of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, a felony.
Borough police had charged Eldridge with selling heroin to a confidential informant (CI). He was charged with counts of possession with intent to manufacture or deliver a controlled substance, and two misdemeanor counts of possession. The misdemeanor counts were dropped in a plea bargain.
Police said on Oct. 7, 2011, Eldridge sold three packets of heroin to the CI for $60. On Oct. 14, 2011, he sold three more packs of the drug to the CI for another $60.
Judge Steven R. Serfass accepted the plea but deferred sentencing and ordered the adult probation office to prepare a presentence investigation (PSI) report.
Other cases
Other defendants who entered pleas included:
Steven Allen Hartranft, 28, of Lehighton, pleaded to one count each of driving under the influence (DUI), escape, and driving while under suspension. He was arrested on April 23, 2010, along the Stanley Hoffman Blvd., in Lehighton, at a DUI checkpoint. He fled the checkpoint but was later stopped