A Carbon County man was sentenced to a state prison term last week after pleading guilty in a domestic assault case.

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

Palmerton incident

Kevin T. Rehrig, 62, of Palmerton, pleaded to one count each of simple assault and terroristic threats and was immediately sentenced to serve one to two years in a state correctional institution.

Rehrig was arrested by borough police on Nov. 21, 2020, when officers responded to a residence along Lafayette Avenue for a domestic assault report. On scene officers learned that Rehrig had threatened his live-in girlfriend with a baseball bat. The victim claimed he had actually struck her with the bat.

Matika told Rehrig that due to his prior record, which included a felony conviction, he faces a long prison term. Rehrig has been in the county jail since the day of the incident unable to post bail.

Rehrig said he and the victim had a relationship but that he claimed “she was always picking on me. I knew it was over.”

Rehrig also said he has mental health issues and other health issues. He is receiving counseling for his mental health issues. Matika said the state system was the best place for him for the many health issues he has been dealing with.

In addition to the jail term, Rehrig was ordered to get for drug and alcohol and mental health evaluations, supply a DNA sample, render 75 hours of community service when he is paroled and have no contact with the victim.

He was given credit for 116 days already spent in jail on the charges.

Other pleas

Amy Cacciola, 45, of Slatedale, pleaded to one count of driving under the influence of a controlled substance. She was arrested on Sept. 5, 2019, by state police at Lehighton along Route 443 in Lehighton.

Sentencing was deferred so she can obtain a drug and alcohol evaluation.

She was also scheduled to plea guilty in a second case involving a drug count but changed her mind and requested a jury trial.

Michael Patrick Deleo, 24, of Barnesville, Schuylkill County, pleaded to one count each of theft and criminal mischief. In exchange for the plea, two felony counts of burglary and criminal trespass were dropped.

He was arrested by state police at Hazleton for entering a residence along Tamaqua Street in Banks Township on April 18, 2020.

Matika placed him on probation for a year on each count, terms running concurrently, and ordered him to make restitution to the victim for $735, have no contact with the victim, render 50 hours of community service and supply a DNA sample.

Aaron J. Zink, 39, of Weatherly, pleaded to one count of persistent disorderly conduct. He was arrested on Nov. 8, 2020, by Weatherly police along Wilbur Street.

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

Bobbi Jo Filer, 48, of Allentown, pleaded to one count of receiving stolen property. In exchange for the plea two felony counts of theft and receiving were dropped.

She was arrested on June 4, 2019, by Summit Hill police for an incident at a home along East White Street where she admitted taking several items including Xbox, Xbox controllers and games and PlayStation controllers.

Matika placed her on probation for a year and ordered her to make restitution of $430 to the victim, render 50 hours of community service and supply a DNA sample.

Garrett Thomas Fox,Jermell A. Hollerway, 23, of Philadelphia, pleaded to one count each of criminal conspiracy - possession of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was originally charged with 10 counts, including seven felonies, all dismissed in a plea deal. The case also had 23 continuances.

He was arrested on Sept. 30, 2017, along Interstate 80 in Kidder Township following a traffic stop by state police at Fern Ridge. He was a passenger in the vehicle.

He was placed on probation for a year on each count, terms running concurrently, and ordered to get a drug and alcohol evaluation and render 50 hours of community service.

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