A Carbon County woman pleaded guilty on Thursday in the county court to a drug charge.

She was one of 10 defendants in pending criminal cases to enter a guilty plea before Judge Joseph J. Matika.

Ongoing investigation

Stephanie Farley, 35, of Jim Thorpe, pleaded to one count of possession of a controlled substance. She was arrested on Jan. 5, 2018, in the parking lot of the Dollar General store along Route 209 in Nesquehoning. The arrest was part of an ongoing drug investigation by Jim Thorpe police and the county drug task force.

In exchange for the plea the district attorney’s office dropped a felony count of criminal conspiracy - possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance.

Matika placed her on probation for a year and ordered her to get a drug and alcohol evaluation and follow any recommendation for treatment and render 50 hours of community service.

Other pleas

Jonathan A. Groegler, 34, of Lehighton, pleaded one count each of possession of a prohibited offensive weapon, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and driving under suspension - DUI related. He was originally charged with 13 counts. Among the charges dropped in a plea deal with the DA’s office were felony counts of possession firearm with manufacturer number altered, firearms not to be carried w/o license and possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance.

He was arrested on Nov. 25, 2021, by state police at Lehighton along Lehigh Drive in Lower Towamensing Township, following a vehicle stop. The police report indicates a Ruger P95 9 mm handgun was found.

Matika ordered the adult probation office to prepare a presentence investigation report prior to sentencing.

William David Shook III, 25, of Bath, Northampton County, pleaded to one count of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle. The charge was added to the original criminal complaint in which the DA’s office dropped felony counts of theft and receiving stolen property.

He was arrested on July 22, 2021, by Palmerton police for an incident in which a Apollo pit bike was stolen. Shook is currently an inmate in the county prison on parole/probation violation petitions filed by the adult probation office.

Matika sentenced him to time-served (70 days) to 18 months in jail and ordered he make restitution of $1,000 to the victim, render 50 hours of community service, supply a DNA sample and have no contact with the victim.

Greg Steinmetz, 37, of Lehighton, pleaded to one count of harassment, as a summary offense, in exchange for a charge of simple assault being dropped in a plea deal with the DA’s office.

He was arrested on March 22 by state police at Lehighton following a domestic incident at a residence along Towamensing Road in Towamensing Township. His girlfriend said he assaulted her during a dispute.

Matika imposed a fine of $150 and costs.

Nicholas M. Barbieri, 41, of Palmerton, pleaded to two summary offenses of off-road lighting and general lighting requirements. In exchange for the plea, a driving under the influence charge was dropped.

He was arrested on May 21, 2021, by state police at Lehighton along Franklin Avenue in Palmerton.

Matika imposed total fines of $75 and costs.

Joshua Nagle, 43, of Philadelphia, pleaded to one count of unsworn falsification with felony count of materially false written statement - purchase, delivery, transfer of firearm dropped in a plea deal.

He was arrested by Kidder Township police for an incident on Nov. 7, 2020, when Nagle attempted to purchase a firearm at a gun show at the Split Rock Galleria in Lake Harmony, at a time when he is prohibited from owning a firearm.

He was placed on probation for a year and ordered to render 50 hours of community service.

Julia L. Weil, 53, of Allentown, pleaded to one count of possession of drug paraphernalia. She was arrested on Aug. 28, 2020, by Palmerton police who responded to the rear of the Palmerton Hotel and found her asleep in the back seat of a vehicle. A charge of possession of a controlled substance was dropped in a plea deal.

Matika placed her on probation for a year and ordered her to get a drug and alcohol evaluation and render 50 hours of community service. The term runs concurrent with a probation period she is serving in Lehigh County.

Steven Caraballo Matos, 21, of Allentown, pleaded to one count each of fraud alter/forged/counter title registration and possession of a small amount of marijuana.

He was arrested on Sept. 9, 2021, by state police at Fern Ridge following a traffic stop along Interstate 80 in Kidder Township.

On the forged registration count he was placed on probation for a year and ordered to render 50 hours of community service and supply a DNA sample. On the marijuana charge he was fined $150 and costs.

Clinton Lewis Schroeder, 48, of Allentown, pleaded to one count of DUI of a controlled substance. He was arrested on June 20, 2021, by state police at Lehighton along Route 248 in Franklin Township.

Sentencing was deferred so he can obtain a drug and alcohol evaluation and apply for the house arrest program.

Joseph Allen Stepp, 44, of Slatington, pleaded to one count of possession of drug paraphernalia. He was arrested on Oct. 8, 2020, by Palmerton police in the 500 block of Delaware Avenue following a vehicle stop. He was placed on probation for a year and ordered to get a drug and alcohol evaluation and render 50 hours of community service.

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