Log In


Reset Password

Six enter pleas in Carbon DUI cases

Six defendants entered pleas to drunken driving before Carbon County Judge Steven R. Serfass on Tuesday.

Lawney Lee Strohl, 53, of Lehighton, also pleaded to fleeing and attempting to elude police. He was arrested on May 25, 2014, by state police at Lehighton. Troopers attempted to stop his dirt bike in the Weissport area, but Strohl refused to stop. The chase led into Lehighton, where he crashed the bike along Bridge Street, then attempted to flee on foot, but was later located in brush near the Lehigh River.Strohl has been in jail for the past 324 days on the charges.Serfass deferred sentencing so Strohl could obtain a drug and alcohol evaluation.Sara Fink, 32, of Lehighton, was arrested on Sept. 1, 2013, along Route 443 in Lehighton by state police at Lehighton. A test showed 0.08 BAC.Sentencing was deferred for a D&A evaluation.David Scott Zellner, 44, of Tamaqua, was arrested on Nov. 8, 2014, along Summit Avenue at Second Street in Lehighton by state police at Lehighton. A test showed 0.27 BAC.Sentencing was deferred so Zellner could apply for placement in the county's Intermediate Punishment Program.Eric Michael Kester, 29, of Parryville, was arrested on Aug. 29, 2014, by state police at Lehighton along Iron Street at Third Street in Lehighton. A test revealed the presence of a controlled substance.Sentencing was deferred for a D&A evaluation. He is currently in the county prison on other pending charges.Mallory Danielle McKeone, 27, of New Ringgold, was arrested on July 31, 2014, along Bridge Street in Lehighton by state police at Lehighton. A test showed 0.11 BAC.Sentencing was deferred for a D&A evaluation.George Earl Lahr Jr., 48, of Lehighton, was arrested on Nov. 28, 2014, along Route 248 by Palmerton police. A test showed 0.14 BAC.A first offense, Serfass placed Lahr on probation for six months and ordered he pay a fine of $300 and render 25 hours of community service.Each defendant sentenced must also pay court costs of about $1,000, and a $50 per month supervision fee while on probation or parole.