Four sentenced in DUI cases
Four defendants, who previously pleaded guilty to driving under the influence charges, were sentenced on Monday in Carbon County court.
Judge Steven R. Serfass imposed sentences on the following:Two DUI countsAdam George Reich, 27, of Lehighton, was sentenced on two DUI counts plus a charge of terroristic threats.He was arrested on the threats count by Mahoning Township police for an incident on Sept. 12, 2014, at the ReDCo Group office along Blakeslee Boulevard. Police said Reich became upset when the personnel at the office wanted him to commit himself to a mental health evaluation. Police said a witness told them that Reich said he was going to return to the facility with an AK-47 rifle.Police responded to the area and found Reich in the parking lot with the weapon, which was loaded.He was arrested on the first DUI on Aug. 29, 2014, in the 300 block of Mauch Chunk Street by Mahoning Township police. A test showed the presence of a controlled substance. The second DUI occurred on Nov. 10, 2014, following a vehicle stop by Lehighton police along Second Avenue. A test showed a 0.15 BAC.On the first DUI Serfass sentenced him to serve 72 hours to six months in jail, a fine of $1,000, one-year license suspension, and render 25 hours of community service.On the second DUI he was sentenced to serve 48 hours to six months in jail, consecutive to the first count, a fine of $500, another one-year license suspension, and another 25 hours of community service.On the threats charge he was sentenced to time-served (seven days) to one day less 24 months, consecutive to the DUI charges, followed by one year of probation.He will begin the jail term at 9 a.m. Friday and serve the time on consecutive weekends of three days, then on July 10, two days.Other casesThomas Joseph Anthony, 37, of Palmerton, was arrested on Feb. 15, 2013, by state police at Lehighton, along Mauch Chunk Road, in Palmerton. A test showed 0.09 BAC.He also pleaded to one count of driving under suspension-DUI related.On the suspension count he was sentenced to serve 45 to 90 days in jail, but must serve the full 90 days and pay a fine of $1,000.On the DUI charge he was sentenced to serve five days to six months in jail, concurrent with the first count, pay a fine of $400, one-year license suspension, and render 25 hours of community service.He was given credit for 36 days spent in inpatient rehab and jail. He will begin serving the remaining 54 days at 2 p.m. July 10 and serve it on consecutive weekends.Clayton W. Berger Jr., 28, of Lehighton, was arrested on Jan. 18, 2014, by Lehighton police who found him slumped over the steering wheel of his vehicle with the motor running. A test revealed the presence of a controlled substance.Serfass sentenced him to serve 72 hours to six months in jail, a fine of $1,000, one-year license suspension, and render 25 hours of community service.He will begin the jail term at 9 a.m. July 6.Randy Charles Gressler, 50, of Lehighton, was arrested on Dec. 3, 2014, along Route 209 in Lehighton by state police at Lehighton. A test showed a 0.09 BAC.A first offense, he was placed on probation for six months and ordered to pay a fine of $300 and render 25 hours of community service.Each defendant must also pay court costs of about $1,000, and a $50 per month supervision fee while on probation or parole.