Defendants entered guilty pleas before Judge Joseph J. Matika in carbon County court on July 8:

Jason Christofer Soraci, 23, of Weatherly, entered pleas in three pending cases. He pleaded to one count each of simple assault, receiving stolen property, criminal trespass and possession of firearms without a license.He was arrested for the assault charge on Feb. 10 at Packer and Second streets by Weatherly police where he got into an argument withanother man. Police said the fight was over heroin. The receiving and trespass counts stem from an April 15 incident in the 100 block ofCarbon Street, where he took tools. The firearms count stems from a July 30, 2015, incident when he took a AF14 rifle belonging to his father. He later returned the gun.Matika deferred sentencing and ordered the adult probation office to prepare a presentence investigation report.Thomas John Wills, 21, of Beaver Meadows, pleaded to one count of criminal conspiracy - burglary.He was charged by state police at Hazleton for an incident on March 17 in which he entered two separate businesses, at 102 Broad St., Beaver Meadows and 8 Market St., in Banks Township. Nothing was taken in the one entry and cigarettes and cigars were taken in the other. He was the driver involved and did not actually enter either business. Jacob Bloss, 20, of Beaver Meadows, is a co-defendant in the case and is scheduled to enter a plea on Aug. 16.Matika placed him on probation for two years and ordered he make restitution totaling $3,141.20 which includes the items taken and extensive damages done to the properties, supply a DNA sample, render 100 hours of community service and stay out of the two businesses.Andrew G. Hanna, 29, of Palmer Township, pleaded to one count of theft of services.He was charged by Palmerton police for an incident at the Palmerton hospital on Jan. 29, 2013, He appeared at the hospital for treatment and gave a false name and Social Security number to obtain a painkiller Percocet. Police said he did it to avoid paying the bill for services provided.Matika deferred sentencing and ordered the adult probation office to prepare a presentence investigation report. Hanna will also apply for placement in the county's Intermediate Punishment program - house arrest.Stephanie Boyce, 54, of Mount Pocono, pleaded to one count of retail theft.She was charged by Mahoning Township police for an incident at the Walmart store on March 22.She was placed on probation for a year and ordered to render 50 hours of community service and not go in the store for the length of the probation. There was no restitution as the items stolen were recovered.Shane Houser, 18, of Nesquehoning, pleaded to one count of mutual simple assault.He was arrested on Feb. 23 by Summit Hill police for an incident in the area of 127 E. Hazard St. in which he and Colton Black engaged in a fight.He was placed on probation for a year and ordered to render 50 hours of community service and have no contact with Black.Bernard Lee Neal, 57, of Mount Carmel, Columbia County, pleaded to one count of habitual offender.He was arrested on Jan. 23 by Nesquehoning police following a traffic stop along Route 54. He was termed an habitual offender for having 12 prior driving under suspension arrests.Matika sentenced him to serve 47 to 54 days in jail with credit for 94 already served and paroled him.Samuel Francis Lakata, 22, of Allentown, and formerly of Weatherly, pleaded to one count each of receiving stolen property and criminal trespass.He was charged by Weatherly police for an incident in the 400 block of Plane Streeton Nov. 9, 2015, in which he removed old coins and jewelry.Sentencing was deferred.Each defendant sentenced must also pay court costs of about $1,000 and a $50 per month supervision fee while on probation or parole.