A Carbon County man admitted to a drug-dealing charge on Monday in the county court.

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

Fentanyl sale

Troy S. Rehrig

, 32, of Palmerton, pleaded to one count of criminal use of a communication facility. He was charged for an incident on Sept. 27 along Constitution Avenue in Lehighton. Lehighton police, along with members of the state attorney general’s drug enforcement unit, made the arrest as part of an ongoing investigation of drug distribution in Carbon County.

The police report indicates that Rehrig and two others went to Hazleton and secured fentanyl for resale in Carbon. A vehicle stop was made after the three returned to Carbon. The other two defendants are also facing charges.

Serfass deferred sentencing as Rehrig, currently an inmate in the county prison, will apply for placement in the state’s Intermediate Punishment Program. The program runs for two years with about seven months spent in prison followed by a period of time in an intensive inpatient rehabilitation program then time in a halfway house.

Rehrig will be transferred to a state correctional institution to be evaluated for the program. If he doesn’t qualify for the program he will be brought back to Carbon for sentencing.

Rehrig was originally charged with 12 counts, including four of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance. Eleven counts were dropped in a plea agreement with the district attorney’s office.

Other pleas

Corey Wade Sexton

, 26, of Lehighton, pleaded to one count of possession of a controlled substance, methamphetamine, and one count of resisting arrest.

He was arrested on Sept. 13 by Lehighton police in the area of East and Bridge streets. Police attempted to take him into custody on an outstanding warrant and had to use substantial force, which led to the resisting charge. Once in custody, police found meth on him.

Sexton is currently an inmate in county prison serving a four-month probation violation sentence.

Serfass placed him on probation for 24 months on the resisting charge, consecutive to his current sentence, and one year probation on the drug charge, current with the other charges.

He was also ordered to get a drug and alcohol evaluation and follow any recommendation for treatment and render a total of 150 hours of community service when paroled.

Michael Muth

, 28, of Jim Thorpe, pleaded to one count of possession of a controlled substance, methamphetamine. He was arrested on June 27 on Broadway by Jim Thorpe police.

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 Thomas Mohr

, 20, of Emmaus, pleaded to one count of possession of drug paraphernalia. He was arrested on July 1 by state police at Lehighton following a three-vehicle crash along Route 248 in Parryville. He was one of the drivers involved in the crash.

In an agreement with the district attorney’s office, Serfass imposed a fine of $1,000 and court costs. Mohr was scheduled to be placed in the county’s Accelerated Rehabilitation Disposition probation program, but that was withdrawn so he can enter the U.S. Marine Corps. He has already enlisted and will report next week.

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