A Carbon County resident recently entered a guilty plea to a drug charge in the county court and was placed on probation. In another case a man pleaded to a reduced charge in a domestic assault incident.

Drug deal

Tayshawn Hudson, 27, of Lansford, pleaded to one count of possession of a controlled substance for an incident on June 22, 2018, in Summit Hill. In exchange for the plea a felony 1 count of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and a felony 3 count of criminal use of a communication facility, were dropped in a plea deal with the district attorney’s office.

Police said he was arrested after they arranged for a confidential informant to purchase drugs from him at 6:42 p.m. on North Oak Street.

Police said they met with the informant and arranged for him to purchase cocaine from Hudson. Initially, police said, they gave the informant “prerecorded money” ($100) and then observed him arranging the sale with Hudson through cellphone text messaging. Police said the two met at a predetermined location, where Hudson was observed driving up to the informant, at which time they did a hand-to-hand exchange. The informant then immediately turned the plastic baggie containing a white powdery substance to police.

Police said the substance, weighing 0.7 grams, tested positive for cocaine.

President Judge Roger N. Nanovic accepted the plea and placed Hudson on probation for a year and ordered he get a drug and alcohol evaluation and follow any recommendation for treatment.

Domestic incident

Joseph A. Ripoyla, 25, of Summit Hill, pleaded guilty to one count of harassment, as a summary offense, for an incident on Oct. 27, 2019, in Summit Hill. In exchange for the plea, counts of simple assault, resisting arrest and defiant trespass were dropped in a plea deal.

According to police, officers responded to a residence along South Chestnut Street for a disturbance. On scene officers were met by a woman who said she had been physically assaulted by Ripoyla. The victim is Ripoyla’s ex-girlfriend and had an argument with him in her room at the residence.

The victim said Ripoyla threw her to the ground, hitting her head off the wall. He then got on top of her and pinned her to the ground with his hands around her neck. During this action Ripoyla hit the victim in the mouth with a closed fist.

After being taken into custody, Ripoyla began to resist. After being handcuffed, he was taken downstairs.

Ripoyla tried to pull away from the officer, causing the officer to lose his balance. This action continued outside. As Ripoyla was being placed in the police cruiser he hit the officer in the chest. With the assistance of a homeowner, police were able to place Ripoyla in the cruiser.

Nanovic imposed a fine of $300.

Both defendants must also pay court costs of about $1,000 and Hudson must pay a $50 per month supervision fee while on probation.