A Carbon County man was sentenced to a state prison term on Thursday on a drug dealing charge.

He was one of three defendants who previously pleaded guilty to criminal charges to be sentenced in the county court by President Judge Roger N. Nanovic II.

Ongoing probe

Wash Lee Tyahla, 56, of Nesquehoning, was sentenced to serve one to three years in a state correctional institution on a charge of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance.

He was arrested on Aug. 1, 2019, as part of an ongoing investigation by the county’s drug task force and Lehighton police into the distribution of illegal drugs in the county. His arrest was the result of a surveillance operation set up by the task force. At the time of his arrest a large quantity of drugs were found on him, according to the police report.

Tyahla admitted to a long-term drug abuse problem. Nanovic noted from a presentence investigation report prepared by the adult probation office that Tyahla overdosed at least three times over the years. Police had to use the drug Narcan to revive him.

Tyahla’s request for a county sentence to be served on weekends was rejected by the court.

He was also ordered to get both drug and alcohol and mental health evaluations and follow any recommendations for treatment and supply a DNA sample.

Nanovic permitted Tyahla to delay the start of his prison term to 8 a.m. on March 26 when he must report to the county prison and will be transferred to a state facility.

Other cases

Albert Zettlemoyer, 30, of Lebanon, was sentenced to serve one day less 12 to one day less 24 months in the county prison on a charge of corrupt organization, a felony 1. The jail term will be followed by two years of probation.

He admitted his part in a drug trafficking operation involved in the distribution of methamphetamine in the Carbon County area. Other illegal substances were also involved. The case was prosecuted by the state Attorney General office.

Zettlemoyer said he addressed his drug issued by entering and successfully completing a drug rehabilitation inpatient program and continues counseling.

Zettlemoyer told the court, “I understand no crime goes unpunished,” when requesting a county sentence.

Nanovic said because of the steps Zettlemoyer had taken to address his drug addiction and his continued participation in a drug program, he would agreed to a sentence in the county prison.

He was also ordered to get both drug and alcohol and mental health evaluations.

He begins the jail term at 3 p.m. on March 22.

Charles Joseph Larrimore, 46, of Lehighton, was sentenced to serve six to 18 months in the county prison on charges of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and driving under the influence of a controlled substance.

According to an affidavit of probable cause filed by state police at Lehighton, at 6:16 p.m. on Aug. 13, troopers were patrolling Bowmanstown in the area of Ore Street near Fireline Road when they observed a light green Volkswagen Beetle driving in front of them with a loud muffler. A traffic stop was initiated, and as troopers approached the vehicle, they observed the driver, identified as Larrimore, sweating profusely. Officers also noticed he had a black pistol in a shoulder holster under his left arm and that his eyes were red and bloodshot and his speech was raspy and shaky.

Larrimore got out of the vehicle at the troopers’ requests and the pistol under his arm, as well as an additional loaded 9 mm gun were taken for the officers’ safety.

He admitted having two baggies of meth in the vehicle, but as officers retrieved the drugs, they also found a plastic container containing eight baggies of methamphetamine in different forms, as well as a wallet with additional drugs and $2,100 in cash.

In addition to the prison term Larrimore was ordered to get a drug and alcohol evaluation, supply an DNA sample, pay a fine of $1,000 for the DUI and one year license suspension.

He was given credit for a total of 216 days spent in prison to date on the charges and paroled. His sentencing was done via video from the county prison.

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