A New Jersey man was sentenced to a prison term on Monday in Carbon County court after pleading guilty to a retail theft charge.

He was one of nine defendants in pending criminal cases to enter a guilty plea before President Judge Roger N. Nanovic II.

Walmart incident

Davone Marquise Nock, 29, of Trenton, was arrested on Sept. 5, 2021, by Mahoning Township police at the Walmart store.

Police said Nock and another male had been in the store at least twice using counterfeit bills, $20s and $50s; to pay for items. After making the purchases they returned a day or two later and returned some of the items and got cash refunds.

Nanovic sentenced him to serve three to 18 months in prison and ordered he supply a DNA sample and make restitution to Walmart for $1,278.68.

Nock, who has been in the county prison since his arrest in the case, was given credit for 142 days already served and paroled.

Other pleas

Amber Colleen Defiore, 28, an inmate in the county prison and whose last address was listed as Bethlehem, pleaded to one count of defiant trespass - actual communication with a felony 3 criminal trespass dropped in a plea deal.

She was arrested on July 5, 2019, by Mahoning Township police at the Walmart store. She was previously given notice that she was not allowed in the store.

She is currently an inmate in the county prison and has seven pending criminal charges. She has credit for 240 days already served, but asked the court to not give her any credit on the instant case as she would like to use the credit on other, more serious pending cases.

Nanovic placed her on probation for a year, consecutive to a sentence she is currently serving, and ordered her to get a drug and alcohol evaluation and the ban on entering Walmart remains in effect.

Joshua J. Troxell, 40, of Lehighton, pleaded to one count of theft with a felony 3 count of access device fraud dropped in a plea deal.

He was arrested on Feb. 25, 2021, by state police at Lehighton, for using the debit card of his sister to make purchases online without her permission.

He was placed on probation for a year and ordered to get a drug and alcohol evaluation, attend and successfully complete a gambling addiction course, supply a DNA sample, make restitution to his sister for $1,402 and have no contact of any kind with her.

Damian Strausberger, 21, of Summit Hill, pleaded to one count of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle. He was arrested on Sept. 18, 2021, by Lansford police when they received a report from a borough resident that Strausberger took their vehicle without permission. In exchange for the plea the district attorney’s office dropped a felony 1 burglary and felony 3, theft of movable property charges.

He is currently an inmate in the county prison serving a probation/parole violation which he finished on Jan. 26.

He was also ordered to get a drug and alcohol evaluation and follow any recommendation for treatment and supply a DNA sample.

Carlos Ivan Marquez, 29, of Lansford, pleaded to one count each of driving under the influence of a controlled substance, reckless driving and careless driving and three stop sign violations.

He was arrested on Nov. 14, 2021, by Lansford police who responded to a reported disturbance. Marquez was observed fleeing the scene in a vehicle at a high rate of speed. A chase ensued and he was eventually stopped.

Sentencing was deferred so he can get a drug and alcohol evaluation.

Marquez is currently an inmate in the county prison.

Rebecca Marie Rhode, 44, of Linden, New Jersey, pleaded to one count of retail theft. She was arrested on Oct. 5, 2019, by Mahoning Township police at the Walmart store.

She was placed on probation for six months and ordered to get a drug and alcohol evaluation and supply a DNA sample.

Steven David Holtzer, 29, of Lansford, pleaded to one count of possession of drug paraphernalia with a charge of possession of a controlled substance dropped in a plea deal. He was arrested on Jan. 17, 2020, by Summit Hill police following a traffic stop. He was a passenger in the vehicle and found with baggies used for drug use.

He was placed on probation for a year and ordered to get a drug and alcohol evaluation and zero tolerance imposed for drug or alcohol use.

He is currently an inmate in the county prison.

Amy Wertman, 41, of Lehighton, pleaded to one count of criminal conspiracy - retail theft. She was arrested on Jan. 23, 2021, by Mahoning Township police at the Walmart store.

Her husband, Michael Paul Wertman, 41, was also arrested. He was scheduled to enter a plea in the case but asked for a continuance when he learned he was facing a prison term. The original stipulation signed between him and the DA’s office said a probation sentence would not be opposed by the office if it was within the standard sentencing guideline range. Nanovic noted because of his prior criminal record he faces a prison term in the standard range.

The continuance was granted so Wertman, who appeared without legal counsel, could secure an attorney to represent him.

His wife was placed on probation for six months and ordered to make restitution of $319.13 to Walmart and supply a DNA sample.

Mark Allen Solt, 52, of Palmerton, pleaded to a summary offense of disorderly conduct. He was arrested on July 4, 2017, by Palmerton police. In exchange for the pleas a felony 1 aggravated assault count and a misdemeanor 2 simple assault charge were dropped.

Nanovic imposed a fine of $300.

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