A Lehigh County man was sentenced to a Carbon County prison term on Tuesday after previously pleading guilty to a drug-dealing charge.

He was one of three defendants who entered guilty pleas previously and were now sentenced by Judge Steven R. Serfass.

AG arrest

Ethan Isaih Hunsberger,

28, of Whitehall, was sentenced to serve six to one day less 24 months in prison on a charge of delivery of a controlled substance, methamphetamine.

He was arrested by agents of the state Attorney General’s office, members of the county drug task force and Jim Thorpe police as part of a controlled drug buy. Hunsberger sold drugs to a confidential informant on Aug. 23, 2018. He was originally charged with 24 counts. The police report indicates other sales were made Sept. 5, 2018.

Defense Attorney Glenn M. Goodge asked the court to impose a probationary sentence, which would be in the mitigated range of state sentencing guidelines, because of his client’s actions after his arrest to address his drug addiction problem. He said his client was 14 months “clean” of drugs.

Hunsberger told the court, “For the last 12 years I’m not a person to be proud of.”

Assistant District Attorney Brian Gazo said the commonwealth would object to a probationary term. He said the commonwealth applauds what Hunsberger has done but that the facts of the case do not warrant it to fall into the mitigated range.

Serfass said, “I’m glad he took the steps he did to help himself.” But he added he had to look at the seriousness of the crime and its impact on the community.

In addition to the jail term, Hunsberger was ordered to supply a DNA sample, zero tolerance imposed on drug or alcohol use, render 100 hours of community service when paroled, pay court costs of about $1,000, pay a $50 per month supervision fee while on parole and continue his drug counseling.

He will begin the jail term at 9 a.m. on June 1.

Other cases

Tara Lynn Hertzog,

35, of Nesquehoning, was sentenced in four cases she previously pleaded guilty. She pleaded to two counts of possession of drug paraphernalia, and one count each of driving under the influence of a controlled substance and retail theft.

The one paraphernalia charge was filed after her arrested on Feb. 2 following a traffic stop by Lansford police at Bertsch and Riley streets. The second occurred on June 19, 2019, following a traffic stop by Jim Thorpe police. The DUI occurred on May 19, 2017, filed by Lehighton police following a traffic stop along Bridge Street. A test revealed the presence of a controlled substance. The retail theft occurred on Jan. 30, 2015, at the Turkey Hill store along Susquehanna Street filed by Jim Thorpe police.

On the DUI count she was sentenced to serve 90 days to 60 months in prison, pay a fine of $1,500, license suspended for 18 months, supply a DNA sample and render 200 hours of community service. She was given credit for 55 days already served. On the retail theft she was sentenced to time-served (55 days) to one day less 24 months and on the two paraphernalia counts she was sentenced to serve one to 12 months on each count. All the prison terms run concurrent.

She will begin serving the remainder of the 90 at 9 a.m. on June 14 and serve it on consecutive three-day periods.

Jerry L. Smith,

41, of Long Pond, was sentenced to serve two to 12 months in the county prison on a charge of possession of drug paraphernalia and 45 to 90 days in jail on a charge of driving under suspension - DUI related. The terms run concurrently.

He was arrested on Aug. 25, 2018, by Jim Thorpe police along North Street. Police responded to a reported crash, a van into a utility pole. On scene, the driver of the van was not found. Witnesses said he had run into nearby woods. Through an investigation it was learned that Smith was driving the van.

Smith is currently an inmate in the Monroe County prison.

In addition to the jail terms Smith was ordered to pay a fine of $500 on the suspension count, get a drug and alcohol evaluation, zero tolerance for drug or alcohol use and render 50 hours of community service when paroled.

He was given credit for one day served on the charges.

All defendants must also pay court costs of about $1,000 and a $50 per month supervision fee while on parole.