A Carbon County man pleaded guilty to a drug dealing charge on Tuesday in the county court.

He was one of seven defendants in pending drug-related cases to enter a guilty plea before President Judge Roger N. Nanovic II.

Lehighton incident

Steven Michael Fisher

, 28, of Weissport, pleaded to one count of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, methamphetamine.

Fisher was arrested on Sept. 27 by Lehighton police and agents of the state attorney general’s office as part of an ongoing investigation. Authorities learned that Fisher and two others had illegal substances in their possession for sale in the county.

Fisher admitted going to the Hazleton area and purchasing meth and fentanyl and bringing it back for resale.

After returning from Hazleton, police stopped the vehicle Fisher was in and made the arrest. Found in the vehicle were illegal drugs and various drug paraphernalia.

Nanovic deferred sentencing so Fisher, who is an inmate in the county prison on the charge, could apply for placement in the state’s intermediate punishment program. The program runs for two years and includes about seven months spent in prison followed by a period of time in an intensive inpatient drug rehabilitation program and then time spent in a halfway house. Fisher will now be transferred to a state correctional institution to be evaluated for the program. If he is admitted but doesn’t complete the program, he will be brought back to Carbon County for resentencing. If he is not admitted into the program, he will also be returned to Carbon for sentencing.

Other pleas

Jeffrey John Smith

, 33, of Palmerton, pleaded in two pending cases. He pleaded to one count each of possession of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, tampering with evidence and resisting arrest in one case, and possession of drug paraphernalia in a second case.

He was arrested on the possession of paraphernalia charge on Sept. 28 by Palmerton police, who went to his home for a reported disturbance. The paraphernalia was found in plain view.

On Oct. 5, officers went to the home on a drug investigation and was given permission to search the premises. In plain view on a table in the living room, police observed various drugs and paraphernalia and U.S. currency. While police were there, Smith attempted to grab the items off the table and leave with them. When police attempted to stop him, he resisted.

On the various drug possession counts, Nanovic sentenced him to serve one to 12 months in the county prison followed by one year of probation; and a fine of $500 on the marijuana charge. The prison terms run concurrently. He was also ordered to get a drug and alcohol evaluation and follow any recommendation for treatment.

He was given credit for 14 days already served on the charges. He will begin serving the remaining 16 days on Nov. 20 at 9 a.m.

Leanna Marie Altemose

, 32, of Lehighton, pleaded to one count of possession of drug paraphernalia, with a charge of possession of a controlled substance dropped in a plea bargain.

She was arrested on April 23 by state police at Lehighton in the 300 block of South Fireline Road in Lower Towamensing Township following a traffic stop. She was a passenger in the vehicle.

Nanovic sentenced her to time-served (13 days) to a year in jail. She was also ordered to get a drug and alcohol evaluation.

Megan M. Focht

, 30, of Danielsville, pleaded to one count each of possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

She was arrested on Aug. 1 by state police at Lehighton following a traffic stop at Main and Interchange roads in Franklin Township. Marijuana was found. She also pleaded to driving under suspension, DUI related.

On the suspension count, Nanovic sentenced her to serve 60 days in jail and a fine of $500. On the drug counts, she was placed on probation for a year consecutive to the suspension charge. She was also ordered to get a drug and alcohol evaluation.

She is currently an inmate in the Northampton County prison on a parole violation.

Tracy Dean Horveath

, 53, of Lehighton, pleaded to one count of possession of a small amount of marijuana.

He was arrested on June 8, 2014, by state police at Lehighton along Bank Street in Lehighton. A charge of DUI of a controlled substance was dropped.

Nanovic imposed a fine of $500.

Christopher L. Crouthamel Jr.

, 20, of Slatedale, pleaded to one count of possession of drug paraphernalia.

He was arrested on June 12 by Palmerton police following a vehicle stop at Mauch Chunk Road and Franklin Avenue.

Nanovic placed him on probation for six months and ordered he get a drug and alcohol evaluation.

Jennifer Ann Gibson

, 20, of Walnutport, pleaded to one count of possession of a small amount of marijuana in exchange for a charge of possession of a controlled substance being dropped.

She was arrested on May 26 by park rangers along Pohopoco Drive near Beltzville State Park.

Nanovic imposed a fine of $500.

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