Six first-time offenders, five charged with driving under the influence, were placed in Carbon County's Accelerated Rehabilitation Disposition probation program on Tuesday by Judge Steven R. Serfass.

If a person successfully completes all conditions of the program, their record will be wiped clean. However, if they fail to complete the program, or are revoked from it, they will face trial on all pending charges.A person does not admit guilt in entering the program.Brian Acevedo, 25, of Jim Thorpe, was placed for two years on various drug charges. He was arrested on Feb. 28 by Jim Thorpe police and agents of the state Attorney General's office at 10 W. Sixth St., where a search warrant was served.Serfass said he was reluctantly placing Acevedo into the program but was doing so based on the fact the AG agent involved was not opposed and also he took into consideration Acevedo's health problems.Acevedo was assessed $450 for the costs of the program and ordered to get a drug and alcohol evaluation and follow any recommendation for treatment, zero tolerance imposed on D&A use, and must render 100 hours of community service.DUI casesThe following were placed for a year on DUI charges.Robert Ronald Ardle, 47, of Walnutport, was arrested on Feb. 2 along Route 248 in Palmerton by state police at Lehighton. Given a test, the result was 0.14 BAC.He was assessed $500 and ordered to get a D&A evaluation; his license was suspended for 30 days, and he must render 50 hours of community service.Jeremy Douglas Greenfield, 20, of Reading, was arrested on July 6, 2013, along Lake Road in Kidder Township by state police at Fern Ridge. Given a test, the result showed the presence of a controlled substance.He was assessed $600 and ordered to get a D&A evaluation; his license was suspended for 90 days; and he must render 50 hours of community service.Francis L. Lockwood, 25, of Lehighton, was arrested on Nov. 22, 2013, along First Street in Lehighton by state police at Lehighton. Given a test, the result showed the presence of a controlled substance.He was assessed $650 and ordered to get a D&A evaluation; his license was suspended for 60 days; and he must render 50 hours of community service.Melissa Marie Reis, 37, of Jim Thorpe, was arrested on March 4 along Route 248 in Franklin Township by state police at Lehighton. Given a test, the result was 0.13 BAC.She was assessed $500, and ordered to get a D&A evaluation; his license was suspended for 30 days; and he must render 50 hours of community service.David James Stianche, 47, of Jim Thorpe, was arrested on Jan. 29 along Forest Inn Road in Lower Towamensing Township, by state police at Lehighton. Given a test, the result was 0.23 BAC.He was assessed $550, and ordered to get a D&A evaluation; his license was suspended for 60 days; and he must render 50 hours of community service.Each defendant must also pay court costs, which average about $1,000, and pay a $50 per month supervision fee while in the program.