A Carbon County man, one of four involved in thefts at a Mahoning Township freight company, was sentenced to a state prison term on Thursday in the county court.

Martin Phillip Konze, 47, of Palmerton, was sentenced by Judge Joseph J. Matika to serve two to four years in a state correctional institution on charges of criminal trespass, criminal conspiracy- theft, and theft, all felonies.Konze, 46, was charged for his part in a theft at the New England Motor Freight Company property on March 9, 2016.Also charged in the case were Daniel Gruber, 42, of Lehighton, dock supervisor at New England Motor Freight; Ryan Dillman, 28, and Nicholas Sickonic, 22, both of Palmerton. Gruber, Dillman and Sickonic previously pleaded to charges for their part in the incident and have already been sentenced.According to the affidavit of probable cause filed by township police Chief Audie Mertz:At 3:45 a.m., NEMF reported a burglary/theft involving a cut in the fencing surrounding the facility. Police found a trail cut through the woods leading across a stream to the rear of a business on Ashtown Drive. Along the trail a large volume of merchandise was found.Police seized more than $6,000 in merchandise, which included more than 30 automotive tires, tools, plumbing fixtures, furniture and clothing. Additional items seized by police included fishing waders.As part of the investigation, search warrants were served on a vehicle and a residence in Palmerton.Police also seized merchandise from a building on First Street in Lehighton, and another residence in Palmerton.These items included power tools, plumbing fixtures, tires, clothing, hand tools, a large number of Xbox One systems and liquor.Police said their investigation indicated that Gruber and Konze had planned the thefts.Konze told Matika, "It was absolutely stupid, the whole incident." He told Matika he was ready to start his own business before he got involved in the incident which he lost along with his home. He added, "All from stupidity." Konze also admitted to using illegal substances at the time.Matika told Konze because of a prior record score, which dates back many years, he faced a state prison term. Matika said he took into consideration that the prior offenses were many years ago but added that Konze's use of illegal drugs "was a choice you made."In addition to the prison term Konze was ordered to make restitution to the freight company for $8,429.72, his share of the total, render 100 hours of community service when paroled, supply a DNA sample, get both drug and alcohol and mental health evaluations and pay court costs of about $1,000.He was given credit for 90 days spent in jail on the charges and began the prison term immediately.