A Nesquehoning man was sentenced to a state prison term on Thursday after pleading guilty to a drug count.

He was one of seven defendants in pending drug-related cases to enter a plea before Judge Joseph J. Matika.

Prison incident

Michael Kelly Newton Jr., 37, formerly of New York, pleaded to one count of possession of a controlled substance, Suboxone. He was arrested on Aug. 24, 2020, by county detectives when he was found with the drug at the county prison, where he was an inmate.

He is currently an inmate at the state correctional institution at Houtzdale, Clearfield County, serving a two- to four-year term on drug counts imposed earlier by Matika. His plea was made via video from the prison.

Matika sentenced him to serve six to 33 months in a state prison on the charge and render 100 hours of community service when paroled. The term runs concurrent with the sentence he is now serving.

Other pleas

Mary Vernice McCullough, 27, of Chester, Delaware County, pleaded to one count of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, heroin/fentanyl. She was arrested on June 25, 2018, by state police at the Pocono barracks following a traffic stop at the Turnpike Toll Plaza at Route 940 in Kidder Township.

Matika told her under state sentencing guidelines she faces a minimum prison term of somewhere between nine and 16 months up to a maximum of 84 months.

Sentencing was deferred so the adult probation office can prepare a presentence investigation report and she can apply for house arrest consideration.

Anthony Edward Pascoe, 34, of Tamaqua, pleaded to one count of possession of a controlled substance. He was arrested on Feb. 25, 2020, by Lansford police along Patterson Street.

Matika placed him on probation for a year and ordered him to get a drug and alcohol evaluation and follow any recommendation for treatment and render 50 hours of community service.

Adam Dejesus, 29, of Lansford, pleaded to one count each of possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a small amount of marijuana. He was arrested on April 2, 2020, by Lansford police at a residence along East Kline Avenue where a search warrant was executed. In exchange for the plea, a felony count of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance was dropped in a plea deal with the district attorney’s office.

On the paraphernalia charge he was placed on probation for a year and ordered to supply a DNA sample and render 50 hours of community service. On the marijuana charge he was fined $150.

Justin Nicolas Ruiz-Riche, 30, of Nazareth, pleaded to one count of possession of marijuana. He was arrested on Sept. 21, 2019, following a traffic stop along Route 443 by Lehighton police. In exchange for the plea charges of driving under the influence and endangering the welfare of a child were dropped in a plea deal with the district attorney’s office. Two children, ages 4 and 9, were in the vehicle at the time of the stop.

Matika imposed a fine of $150.

Jodell Scott Carl, 51, of Lansford, pleaded to one count of possession of drug paraphernalia. He was arrested at his residence along Walnut Street by Lansford police. Methamphetamine was found, according to the police report.

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

Jason Allan Weaver, 39, of Tamaqua, pleaded in two pending cases to two counts of possession of drug paraphernalia. He was arrested on Feb. 25 and May 14, 2020, by Lansford police.

Sentencing was deferred.

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

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