Nine defendants in pending cases pleaded to driving under the influence charges on Thursday in Carbon County court.

Judge Steven R. Serfass accepted the pleas from the following:Ryan Matthew Besecker, 29, of Hamlin, McKean County, was arrested on March 11 along Blue Mountain Drive in Lower Towamensing Township by state police at Lehighton. A test revealed a 0.16 BAC.He was sentenced to serve five days to six months in jail, a fine of $300, one-year license suspension, pay court costs of about $1,000, a $50 per month supervision fee while on parole and render 25 hours of community service.He began the jail term immediately.Ashley Marie Bahr, 28, of Wilkes-Barre, was arrested on April 1, 2013, along Route 209 in Franklin Township by state police at Lehighton. A test revealed the presence of a controlled substance. She also pleaded to one count of possession of drug paraphernalia.She was previously placed in the county's Accelerated Rehabilitation Disposition probation program but was revoked from it for violating conditions.Sentencing was deferred.Vernon Edgar Fegley, 69, of Palmerton, was arrested on Jan. 28 along Delaware Avenue by Palmerton police. A test revealed a 0.18 BAC.Sentencing was deferred so Fegley can obtain a drug and alcohol evaluation. He is currently an inmate in the Northampton County prison facing a probation violation petition.Michael Thomas Halulko, 29, of Jim Thorpe, was arrested on March 3 along Route 209 by Lehighton police. A test revealed the presence of a controlled substance.Sentencing was deferred so Halulko can obtain a drug and alcohol evaluation.Whitley Marie Hibbler, 28, of Lehighton, was arrested on June 11, 2016, along Mahoning Street by Mahoning Township police. A test revealed the presence of a controlled substance. In another case she pleaded to possession of drug paraphernalia for an incident on March 3, following a vehicle stop by Lehighton police. She was a passenger in the vehicle.Sentencing was deferred because she must obtain a drug and alcohol evaluation for the DUI charge.Jayne Ardine Kubichko, 56, of Summit Hill, was arrested on Jan. 14, 2016, by Nesquehoning police along Route 209. A test revealed a 0.19 BAC.Sentencing was deferred.Sara Ann Mertz, 40, of Lansford, was arrested on March 18 along Route 209 in Lehighton by state police at Lehighton. A test revealed the presence of a controlled substance.Sentencing was deferred so Mertz can obtain a drug and alcohol evaluation.Bethann M. Neff, 30, of Shenandoah, was arrested on Sept. 24, 2016, along Constitution Avenue by Lehighton police. A test revealed the presence of a controlled substance.Sentencing was deferred so she can obtain a drug and alcohol evaluation.Richard Moore Viands II, 23, of Lehighton, was arrested on Dec. 27, 2016, along Delaware Avenue by Palmerton police. A test revealed the presence of a controlled substance.Sentencing was deferred because Viands needs a comprehensive drug and alcohol evaluation.