A Jim Thorpe man admitted to a drug count on Monday in Carbon County court and was sentenced to a county prison term.

He was one of four defendants in pending drug-related cases to enter a guilty plea before Judge Steven R. Serfass.

Vehicle stop

Derek Michael Hunsicker,

29, pleaded to one count each of possession of a controlled substance - heroin, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

In exchange for the plea, a felony count of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance was dropped by the district attorney’s office.

He was arrested following a vehicle stop by Lehighton police along South First Street.

Police observed Hunsicker driving a vehicle and knew his license was under suspension. During the stop he was found with heroin on him along with various drug paraphernalia.

He is currently an inmate in the county prison.

On the first count, Serfass sentenced him to serve 6 to 12 months in prison and 1 year probation on the paraphernalia count with the terms running consecutively. He was also ordered to get a drug an alcohol evaluation and follow any recommendation for treatment, zero tolerance for drug and alcohol use and render a total of 100 hours of community service when paroled.

He was given credit for 13 days spent in jail on the charges.

Other pleas

Robyn Lynn Conklin, 19, of Palmerton, pleaded to one count of possession of a small amount of marijuana. She was arrested following an incident on Feb. 25 at Beltzville State Park parking area.

Park rangers found Conklin and two others in a vehicle and smelled of marijuana. A charge of corruption of minors was dropped in a plea bargain with the district attorney’s office.

Serfass imposed a fine of $300 and costs.

Jamie Christopher Aucone, 27, of Palmerton, pleaded to one count of possession of drug paraphernalia. He was arrested on Jan. 3 by state police at Lehighton in the area of 4040 Forest Inn Road in Lower Towamensing Township.

Troopers responded to a hit-and-run accident report and found a suspected vehicle involved. Aucone was a front seat passenger in the vehicle and found with drug paraphernalia.

Serfass placed him on probation for a year and ordered he get a drug and alcohol evaluation and render 50 hours of community service.

Zachary Hoffman, 30, of Lehighton, pleaded to one count of possession of drug paraphernalia. He was arrested on Oct. 26, 2017, by Mahoning Township police. Police responded to 272 N. First St., to assist children and youth officials. Hoffman was found at the scene and in possession of the paraphernalia.

Serfass sentenced him to time-served (4 days) to 12 months and ordered he get a drug and alcohol evaluation and render 50 hours of community service.

Glennis Edward Park, 33, of Palmerton, pleaded to one count of possession of drug paraphernalia. He was arrested on May 24, 2017, by Lehighton police at the Mahoning Inn along Blakeslee Boulevard.

Police responded to the area in an attempt to locate another person and found Park and another person near one of the rooms with drugs. In a plea agreement with the DA’s office, a charge of possession of a controlled substance was dropped.

Serfass sentenced him to serve 6 to 12 months in the county prison, concurrent with a jail term he is serving on other charges. He was also ordered to get a drug and alcohol evaluation, zero tolerance for drug and alcohol use and render a total of 100 hours of community service when released on parole.

Each defendant must also pay court costs of about $1,000 and a $50 per month supervision fee while on parole or probation.