A Luzerne County man was sentenced to a state prison term on Thursday in Carbon County court after pleading guilty in two pending cases.

He was one of six defendants in pending criminal cases to enter a plea before Judge Joseph J. Matika.

Weatherly incidents

Carl N. Busch, 34, of Freeland, pleaded to one count each of fleeing or attempting to elude police for an incident on Dec. 12, 2019, along North Street in Weatherly. He also pleaded to possession of drug paraphernalia, for an incident on Jan. 1, 2019, along Wilbur Street, also in Weatherly.

Busch is currently an inmate in the state correctional institution at Camp Hill, Cumberland County, serving a two- to four-year term imposed in Luzerne County.

On the fleeing count Matika sentenced Busch to serve one to two years in a state prison and on the drug count time-served (22 days) to six months and paroled. The fleeing sentence runs concurrent with his present sentence.

Other pleas

Jonathan Geltz, 39, of Kresgeville, pleaded to one count of unauthorized use of an automobile. He was arrested on April 16, 2019, by Franklin Township police. A female resident loaned Geltz her vehicle but said he never returned it. It was eventually found.

Matika placed him on probation for a year and ordered him to render 50 hours of community service, supply a DNA sample and have no contact with the victim.

Tara Ann Osborn, 32, of Jim Thorpe, pleaded to one count of statement under penalty. She was arrested by Franklin Township police for an incident on Aug. 17, 2020, at Bucks Sporting Goods Store. She attempted to purchase a firearm and incorrectly answered a question concerning any prior criminal convictions.

Matika placed her on probation for three months.

Daniel B. Yurchak, 35, of Summit Hill, pleaded to one count of criminal trespass, as a summary offense. He was arrested on Nov. 20, 2019, by Lansford police for an incident at a residence along East Abbott Street. Felony counts of burglary and criminal trespass and a theft charge were dropped in a plea deal with the district attorney’s office.

Matika imposed a fine of $200.

Randolph Elmer Getz Jr., 58, of Lehighton, pleaded to a summary offense of criminal trespass. He was arrested on Dec. 17, 2019, by Franklin Township police for an incident at a residence in the township. A theft charge was dropped in a plea deal.

Matika imposed a fine of $150.

Gary Francis Recker, 53, of Palmerton, pleaded to one count of persistent disorderly conduct. He was arrested on Jan. 6, 2020, at his residence along Mauch Chunk Road by Palmerton police. He was causing a disturbance and was intoxicated at the time.

He was placed on probation for a year and ordered to get a drug and alcohol evaluation and render 50 hours of community service.

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