A Carbon County man admitted in the county court on Tuesday to the operation of a methamphetamine lab while a county woman pleaded to selling drugs before Carbon County Judge Joseph J. Matika.

Nesquehoning incidentEric J. Willing, 35, of Nesquehoning, pleaded to one count of operating a methamphetamine lab, a felony two. In a plea bargain, other drug counts were dropped. He faces a minimum sentence of between nine and 16 months in prison according to state sentencing guidelines.Willing was arrested after agents of the state Attorney General's office and borough Police Chief Sean Smith raided a home at 132 E. Railroad St., on May 28, 2014. The raid came following an extensive investigation.At the time of the raid, Smith said state police officials told him the operation was large in comparison to others that have been raided in the region.Members of the Nesquehoning and Lansford police departments, state police, and a state police clandestine lab team participated in the raid.Also at the scene were the Nesquehoning Fire Company No. 1, Lehighton Ambulance and the Carbon County Emergency Management Agency.According to the police report, Smith said a check with an area merchant revealed that items that could be used for making meth were being purchased by someone.Smith said Willing was inside a Lansford residence where a previous meth lab bust had occurred.Willing did not resist arrest. He was led from his residence, and then appeared at his arraignment, dressed in a white gown and white foot coverings. He was jailed after failing to post bail, but has since been released on bail.Materials used in the production of meth were seized in the home.Willing told Matika he was seeking placement in an inpatient drug rehabilitation program.Sentencing was deferred as Matika ordered the adult probation department to prepare a presentence investigation report.Sells to CIElizabeth Els Ruckhardt, 35, of Nesquehoning, pleaded to one count of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, a felony.Ruckhardt admitted selling marijuana to a confidential informant of the state AG office on Feb. 7, 2014, in the 200 block of West Catawissa Street in Nesquehoning.Authorities received information that Ruckhardt was selling drugs in the area and had the CI set up a purchase.Matika accepted the plea but deferred sentencing, ordering the adult probation department to prepare a PSI. She faces a prison term at the time of sentencing.