A Carbon County man was sentenced to a county prison term on Monday after pleading guilty to a charge of terroristic threats.

Ricky Lee Emerich Jr., 39, of Lehighton, was sentenced by Judge Steven R. Serfass to serve six to one day less 24 months in prison followed by three years of probation.

He was arrested on May 4 by Lehighton police who responded to South First Street, for a report of an intoxicated male causing a disturbance.

Emerich was found at the time and identified by witnesses. Two individuals, a male and female, said they had been assaulted by Emerich.

Emerich apologized for his actions. He said he has struggled with alcohol for a long time.

Defense counsel Eric Wiltrout, of the public defender’s office, said his client also has mental health issues.

The incident was not the first for Emerich in which he made threats.

In July 2021 Emerich pleaded guilty in another case in which threats were made. In that case he pleaded to one count each of terroristic threats, simple assault, institutional vandalism and two summary offenses of disorderly conduct. He was sentenced by Serfass in that case to serve one day less 12 to one day less 24 months in prison. He is currently an inmate in the county prison.

Serfass also ordered him get both drug and alcohol and mental health evaluations and follow any recommendations for treatment, make restitution of $300 to the Lehighton police for damages, pay court costs of over $1,000, pay a $50 per month supervision fee while on parole or probation, have no contact with the victims and render 200 hours of community service when paroled.