A Carbon County man, who was convicted earlier this year by a jury of drug charges, was sentenced on Thursday afternoon to a state prison term.

Jessie James, 50, of Jim Thorpe, Penn Forest Township, was sentenced by Judge Steven R. Serfass to a total of 18 to 60 months in a state correctional institution.

In June, a jury found James guilty of five drug counts, including charges of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance.

James was charged after a drug investigation by the state Attorney General’s office and Carbon County drug task force in which investigators made controlled buys from James near his home.

He was found guilty of three counts of PWID, and one count each of criminal use of a communication facility, criminal conspiracy - PWID, and possession of a controlled substance. All the counts are felonies except the possession of a controlled substance count, which is a misdemeanor.

Serfass imposed sentences on all the counts, running the terms concurrently.

James, who was free on bail at the time of the trial but since was incarcerated, said nothing at the sentencing proceeding.

Attorney Brian Collins, court-appointed, asked the court for a time-served sentence or possibly probation.

Collins did not represent James at the trial and was appointed later by the court.

Collins said he read the transcript of the trial and reached some conclusions about the charges and verdict. He asked the court to consider in imposing a sentence that James was convicted of possession of just 2 grams of cocaine. He asked a sentence in the low end of state sentencing guidelines.

He said James’ biggest problem is his temper, and other than that he is a “helpful guy in the community.” He said he has a family and children which he cares for.

Serfass said James exercised his right to a trial by jury and was found guilty. He also said he exercised his right to negotiate a possible plea, but decided to stand trial, which is his right.

The judge added he had to consider the seriousness of the crimes. He said he agreed with a presentence investigation report prepared by the adult probation office that recommends the sentences imposed be run concurrently.

In addition to the prison term, James was ordered to get both drug and alcohol and mental health evaluations and follow any recommendations for treatment, supply a DNA sample and pay court costs of over $1,000.

He was given credit for 339 days already served in prison on the charges.

Case history

James was arrested after drug officers, using a confidential informant, made two purchases of drugs from James.

The first buy was made on Sept. 13, 2017, in the area of Bear View Drive and Behrens Road. In that buy the CI purchased cocaine from James.

A second buy was arranged by the CI with James for Sept. 20, 2017, meeting in the same location. However, after the second sale was made, the white powdery substance James delivered to the CI did not test positive for cocaine but was a fake substance designed to mimic the appearance of cocaine, authorities said in the affidavit of probable cause.

On Nov. 11, 2019, another purchase was set up, this time to buy Percocet tablets from James. At 9:31 a.m. that day James was observed exiting the driveway of his home and was followed as he walked toward the agreed upon meeting location. James was then taken into custody without incident.