Six defendants entered a guilty plea to pending charges before Judge Joseph J. Matika in the Carbon County court.

Louis Vincent Clouser, 43, of Coaldale, pleaded to one count of criminal attempt-theft.He was arrested by Nesquehoning police for attempting to steal various tools from the Kovatch Corporation, where he was employed at the time. The police report also indicates officers searched his residence and found other tools taken from the firm. All the tools were recovered.Matika placed him on probation for a year and ordered he render 50 hours of community service, stay off the Kovatch property, and write a letter of apology to the Kovatch firm.Jacob Alexander Bynon, 34, of Lansford, pleaded to one count of criminal conspiracy-retail theft.He was arrested by Lansford police for his part in stealing baby formula valued at $159.17 from Boyer's Market on Oct. 8, 2014. Crystal Milner is a co-defendant in the case.Bynon is currently on parole in Schuylkill County on similar charges and has other charges pending in that county.Bynon spent 45 days in a inpatient rehabilitation program for a drug addiction.Matika told Bynon, "You're no stranger to the system," noting Bynon has an extensive prior record. Matika said because Bynon got help for his drug problem he would not put him in jail.Matika placed him on probation for 18 months and ordered he get a D&A evaluation, zero tolerance for D&A use, render 50 hours of community service, and make restitution to Boyer's for $79.59, a half-share of the total amount due.Dallas Michael Conrad, 32, of Allentown, pleaded to one count of theft by deception.He was charged by Mahoning Township police with opening an account at the National Penn Bank and then making fraudulent deposits.Conrad said his criminal activity is due to a heroin addiction problem. Conrad, who has a degree in accounting, has other charges and is on supervision in Lehigh and Cumberland counties. He is currently in the Lehigh County prison serving a probation violation sentence.Matika sentenced him to serve one to 23 months in the county prison, concurrent with his Lehigh term. He was also ordered to make restitution of $654.95 to the bank, and render 50 hours of community service when released on parole.Christopher Daniel Skidmore, 33, of Lehighton, pleaded to one count of retail theft.He was charged by Lansford police for an incident at the Family Dollar Store, East Patterson Street, on July 22, 2014, in which he took $15.90 worth of merchandise.Matika placed him on probation for a year and ordered he render 50 hours of community service, make restitution of $15.90 to the store, and stay out of the store during the probation period.Wayne D. Gross Jr., 31, of Berwick, pleaded to one count of receiving stolen property.He was charged in connection with the theft of 25 radiators from the property of Kuchera's Garage, East Main Street, by Weatherly police.He admitted selling the radiators for scrap at a Hazleton business. He is currently in the Luzerne County prison on other charges.Sentencing was deferred.Sahara Ann Welfel, 24, of Lansford, pleaded to one count of retail theft.She was arrested by Lansford police for an incident at the Family Dollar Store on Dec. 24, 2012. She took items valued at $12.Matika placed her on probation for six months, consecutive to a probation term she is currently serving in Schuylkill County. She must also render 25 hours of community service and stay out of the store during the probation period.Each defendant sentenced must also pay court costs of about $1,000, and a $50 per month supervision fee while on probation or parole.