A Palmerton woman, who previously pleaded guilty to five theft counts, was sentenced to a jail term Monday in Carbon County court. She was one of several defendants who had previously entered guilty pleas to be sentenced by Senior Judge D. Michael Stine, of Schuylkill County, specially presiding.

Lorene Marie Rice, 34, had pleaded guity to three counts of theft by unlawful taking, all misdemeanor ones, and two of retail theft, both misdemeanor twos, for incidents in Palmerton and the area.Rice told Stine that she had a long-term drug addiction problem but was now drug free. However, Stine voiced concerns about her claim of drug free.The judge noted that Rice had entered an inpatient drug rehabilitation program but left a short time later without completing it.Stine also said he was concerned about the series of events that occurred in which Rice entered homes and took items and cash. Stine told her, "You entered a house, invaded somone's life and property."Stine also didn't buy her explanation of her drug addiction problem. He said, "What I have heard is it someone else's fault."On the first count of theft Stine imposed a prison term of 30 days to 12 months. On the remaining two theft and two retail theft counts he imposed six months probation on each, all running consecutively to each other and to the jail term. The total sentence is 30 days to 12 months in jail followed by two years of probation.Stine also ordered total restitution of $900.32. She was also ordered to get a drug and alcohol (D&A) evaluation and follow any recommendation for treatment and not have in her possession any alcohol or drugs.Rice's victims included the Pereira Gulf Station, John Wargo and Christopher Neff, all of Palmerton; the CVS pharmacy in Nesquehoning; and Joan Blose filed by state police at Lehighton.Rice will begin the jail term on Sept. 22 at 9 a.m. and was given credit for four days spent in jail on the charges.Other casesRobert Thomas Fisher Jr., 28, of Palmerton, was sentenced to a county prison term on charges of fleeing and eluding police and driving under the influence (DUI).Fisher was arrested on Feb. 26 by Palmerton police along Mauch Chunk Road. Given a breath test, the result was .17BAC.On the fleeing charge Stine sentenced Fisher to serve nine to 23 months in prison and on the DUI count five days to six months in jail. The term terms run concurrently.Fisher was also fined $300 and one year license suspension on the DUI count. He was further ordered to supply a DNA sample and pay the $250 fee.He will begin the jail term at 9 a.m. on Sept. 22. He was granted work release privileges, if eligible.Kenneth L. Frey, 45, of Allentown, was sentenced to serve 15 days in the county's Intermediate Punishment Program (IPP) with electronic monitoring followed by six months probation on a DUI charge. He must also get a D&A evaluation. He was also ordered to pay a fine of $500 and his license was suspended for one year.Frey was arrested on Oct. 6, 2010, along SR248 in Lower Towamensing Township after being involved in an accident in which he sustained spiral cord injuries. He is currently confined to a wheelchair. Given a test, the result was .20BAC.Joshua D. Baer, 32, of Lehighton, was placed on probation for three years on a charge of unlawful contact with a minor and one year probation on a charge of criminal use of a communication device. The probations run consecutively.He was also ordered to supply a DNA sample and pay the $250 fee, continue his counseling, and follow provisions of Megan's Law.He was arrested by agents of the state Attorney General's office charged with using the internet to make contact with a female.Baer, who went by the screen name, "I love busty women 27," sent what he called "naughty" pictures during his chats with what he believed was a 14-year-old girl, including photos of his genitals. He was actually communicating with an agent of the AG office.Jason A. Rao, 37, of Lansford, was sentenced to time served (13 days) to 23 months in prison on a charge of simple assault. He was also ordered to perform 60 hours of community serivce and have no contact with the victim.Rao was arrested on Sept. 3, 2010, by Jim Thorpe police for an incident along SR903 with Edward Snyder the listed victim. Police said Rao assaulted Snyder about the head and body. Snyder was taken to St. Luke's Hospital, Fountain Hill, for his injuries.Each defendant was also ordered to pay court costs and a $50 per month supervision fee while on probation or parole.