A Schuylkill County man admitted in Carbon County court on Monday to establishing a Snapchat account in the name of a 17-year-old Carbon County girl and then posting nude photos of himself and other inappropriate images on the account.

Joshua C. Zehner, 25, of New Ringgold, appeared before Judge Steven R. Serfass to plead to one count of harassment - communication of lewd, threatening, etc., and language.

He was charged by state police at Lehighton in March for establishing an account of a Penn Forest Township teen and posting a nude photo of himself and other images.

Assistant District Attorney Cynthia Ann Dyrda Hatton said the posting had a very adverse affect on the young teen and was not only embarrassing but affected her and her family.

Zehner’s attorney, Matthew J. Rapa, said his client made a “poor decision” and said he didn’t know the victim.

Zehner told the court, “I’m truly sorry. I made a terrible decision.”

The victim and her mother submitted a letter to Serfass detailing how the entire incident affected the teen, who was a senior in high school at the time, and her family. The letter was not read in open court but was made part of the record of the case.

Serfass told the victim that the criminal count Zehner was charged with, a misdemeanor 3, under state sentencing guidelines, calls for a probation period.

Serfass said, “These types of incidents are disturbing to the court.” Serfass said there were multiple images sent to the account.

In addition to the one-year probation, Serfass ordered Zehner to get a mental health evaluation and follow any recommendation for treatment, render 50 hours of community service, have no contact with the victim, pay court costs of about $1,000, pay a $50 per month supervision fee while on probation and make restitution to the mother of the victim for $70 in lost wages.