A Lehighton man, who previously pleaded guilty to operating a methamphetamine lab and endangering the welfare of a child, was placed in a special state prison program on Monday in Carbon County court.

Damian Eidem, 28, was placed in the state's Intermediate Punishment Program for two years by Judge Steven R. Serfass.Eidem was arrested on April 18, 2014, by agents of the state attorney general's office who served a search warrant at 165 S. First St., Lehighton. Materials used in the manufacture of meth were found in the residence. There was also a young child in the residence at the time.Eidem, who admitted to a drug abuse problem, told the court, "I really want to do this program to help my sobriety."The program includes time spent in prison, then in an inpatient rehabilitation program, and later release to a halfway house. The program has very strict rules. If he does not successfully complete the program, he will be brought back before Serfass for resentencing.Eidem has been in the state prison at Camp Hill for the past several months while being evaluated for placement in the program. His sentencing was done via video with him in the Camp Hill prison.He was ordered to supply a DNA sample and was given credit for 160 days spent in jail on the charges.