Thirteen first-time offenders in the criminal justice systems were recently placed in Carbon County's Accelerated Rehabilitation Disposition probation program by Judge Joseph J. Matika.

If a person successfully completes all conditions of the program their record is wiped clean. However, if they fail to complete it, or are revoked from it, then they would face trial on all pending charges. A person does not admit guilt in entering the program.All were placed for a year, unless otherwise noted.Ethan Leroy Bartholomew, 24, of Bangor, was placed on a driving under the influence charge. He was arrested on Feb. 10 along Interstate 80 in Kidder Township by state police at Fern Ridge. A test showed the presence of a controlled substance.He was assessed $600 for the cost of the program, ordered to render 50 hours of community service and his license was suspended for 60 days.Dawn M. Henderson, 43, of Palmerton, was placed on a DUI charge. She was arrested on July 8, 2015, along Blakeslee Boulevard Drive East by Lehighton police. A test showed the presence of a controlled substance.She was assessed $650 and ordered to render 50 hours of community service, zero tolerance for drug and alcohol use and her license was suspended for 60 days.Linda Lutz-Focht, 52, of Nesquehoning, was placed on a charge of conspiracy to manufacture, delivery or possession with intent to manufacture or deliver a controlled substance. She was charged by Nesquehoning police for an incident on April 25, 2014, along East Columbus Avenue. Vito Focht, also of Nesquehoning, was also charged and has since pleaded guilty and was sentenced for his part in the incident.She was assessed $650 and ordered to get a drug and alcohol evaluation and follow any recommendations for treatment and render 50 hours of community service.Tyler Matthews Mojica-Ramirez, 19, of Allentown, was placed on a DUI charge. He was arrested on June 3, 2015, along Oak Street in Tresckow by state police at Hazleton. A test showed the presence of a controlled substance.He was assessed $650, ordered to render 50 hours of community service and his license was suspended for 90 days.Alana Nilsa Morales-Leon, 30, of Lansford, was placed on a charge of possession of drug paraphernalia. She was arrested on March 25 in the area of 316 W. Abbott St., by Lansford police.She was assessed $450 and ordered to get a D&A evaluation and render 50 hours of community service.Jessica Lee Pastrick, 26, of Slatington, was placed on a charge of retail theft. She was arrested on Feb. 21 at the Walmart store by Mahoning Township police.She was assessed $450 and ordered to render 50 hours of community service, make restitution of $134.95 (half share) and stay out of the Walmart store.Felicia A.I. Rivera, 19, of Allentown, was placed on a retail theft charge. She was arrested with Pastrick in the same incident.She was assessed $450 and ordered to render 50 hours of community service, make restitution of $134.95 (half share) and stay out of the Walmart store.Luis Angel Pena Franco, 22, of Hazle Township, Luzerne County, was placed for two years on a charge of fleeing or attempting to elude police. He was arrested on Feb. 20 by state police at Fern Ridge along Interstate 80 in Kidder Township. He was clocked at going 130 mph in a 65 zone and did not immediately stop for troopers.He was assessed $450 and ordered to render 100 hours of community service.Anthony Vincent Policastro, 20, of Parsippany, New Jersey, was placed on a DUI charge. He was arrested on Feb. 24 along I-80 in East Side Borough by state police at Fern Ridge. A test showed the presence of a controlled substance.He was assessed $600 and ordered to render 50 hours of community service and license suspended for 90 days.Joel Nicholas Puppo, 52, of Albrightsville, was placed on a DUI charge. He was arrested on Nov. 30, 2015, along Old Stage Road by Kidder Township police. A test showed 0.25 BAC.He was assessed $550, ordered to render 50 hours of community service and his license was suspended for 60 days.Brittany Dakota Raeder, 20, of Tamaqua, was placed for six months on a charge of possession of a small amount of marijuana. She was arrested on Nov. 4, 2015, in the parking lot of the Rite Aid store, 480 W. Bertsch St., by Lansford police.She was assessed $450 and ordered to render 25 hours of community service.Heaven Leigh Rex, 19, of Lansford, was arrested with Raeder in the same incident and placed for six months on the same charge.She was assessed $450 and ordered to render 25 hours of community service.Ariel Sky Stevens, 19, of Lansford, was placed on a charge of criminal trespass. She was arrested on Nov. 1, 2015, in the area of 235 W. Patterson St., by Lansford police.She was assessed $450 and ordered to render 50 hours of community service and have no contact with the victim.Each defendant must also pay court costs of about $1,000 and a $50 per month supervision fee while in the program.