A Lehighton man was sentenced to a Carbon County jail term on Tuesday after pleading guilty to unauthorized use of an automobile. He was one of eight defendants in pending criminal cases to enter a guilty plea before Senior Judge Richard W. Webb.

Relative's vehicleGerald Neihoff Jr., 29, was sentenced to serve three to 18 months on the charge. He also pleaded to driving while under suspension and was fined $300 and costs.Neihoff was charged by Lehighton police with taking the 2002 Oldsmobile of Robert Janco on May 12 without permission. Janco was identified as Neihoff's stepfather.Police stopped Neihoff for erratic driving and learned he had no license due to a suspension. It was further learned after contacting his mother that he took the vehicle without permission.Neihoff admitted to a long-term heroin problem and has been in and out of methodome clinics. He also has prior convictions for drug possession.Webb also ordered he get a drug and alcohol (D&A) evaluation and follow any recommendation for treatment. He was given credit for 91 days spent in jail to date on the charges and immediately paroled.Other casesOther defendants who entered guilty pleas included:Lloyd Richard Heckman Jr., 34, of Parryville, pleaded to one count of theft, as a felony. He was arrested by state police for taking two rifles belonging to his father and then selling them at Ed's Sport Shop in Tamaqua. The incident occurred in November 2009.Webb deferred sentencing and ordered a presentence investigation (PSI) be prepared by the adult probation office.Joshua Michael Strohl, 22, of Jim Thorpe, pleaded to one count of retail theft. He was arrested on April 23 for an incident at the Jim Thorpe Market in which he took $35.96 worth of merchandise.Strohl, who is currently in the county prison for a probation violation, was sentenced to time served (49 days) to one year in jail. Strohl, who admitted to a cocaine addiction, will not be released from jail until a revocation hearing is held.Christopher James George, 31, of Palmerton, pleaded to one count of driving under the influence (DUI). He was arrested on March 20 along Hahns Dairy Road in Lower Towamensing Township by state police at Lehighton. Given a test, the result was .09BAC.Webb placed him on probation for six months and ordered he pay a fine of $300 and get a D&A evaluation.Thomas John Moyer, 51, of Weissport, pleaded to one count of DUI. He was arrested on April 10 along Gypsy Hill Rd., in Lehighton. Given a test, the result was .13BAC.Webb sentenced him to serve five days to six months in jail, a fine of $300, one year license suspension and get a D&A evaluation. He will begin the jail term at 9 a.m. on Aug. 16.Kenneth Grant Ahner, 53, of Lehighton, pleaded to one count of DUI. He was arrested on March 18 along Hahns Dairy Rd., in Lower Towamensing Township, by state police at Lehighton. Given a test, the result was .12BAC.Webb placed him on probation for six months and ordered he pay a fine of $300 and get a D&A evaluation.Erik Michael Dunkle, 37, of Lehighton, pleaded to one count of DUI. He was arrested on April 14 along Mahoning Mountain Rd., in Mahoning Township. Given a test, the result was .25BAC.Webb placed him on probation for six months and ordered he pay a fine of $300 and get a D&A evaluation.Matthew Alfred Seiler, 40, of Palmerton, pleaded to one count of DUI. He was arrested on April 8 along Fireline Rd., in Lower Towamensing Township by state police at Lehighton. Given a test, the result was .12BAC.Webb placed him on probation for six months and ordered he pay a fine of $300 and get a D&A evaluation.All defendants must also pay court costs and a $50 per month supervision fee while on probation or parole.