A New York state man admitted in Carbon County court on Monday to bypassing the electric service at a residence and avoiding over $20,000 in service fees. He also admitted growing marijuana plants at the property.

Milton Salbardor Sencion, 54, of Bronx, pleaded guilty before Judge Steven R. Serfass to one count each of theft of services and possession of a controlled substance - marijuana.

State police at Fern Ridge charged Sencion on Oct. 31, 2015. The case took a long time to get before a judge due to disputes over what was owed PPL and how it was going to be paid back.

Troopers went to a residence ins Penn Forest Township to serve a warrant. Found in the home, which Sencion said was rented, was 45 marijuana plants growing. As troopers continued their search the found the electric meter box of PPL was damaged and that the meter was bypassed.

Serfass placed Sencion on probation for 36 months on the theft charge, which was originally a felony but reduced to a misdemeanor in a plea deal. He was placed on probation for six months on the drug count, consecutive to the theft charge.

He was also ordered to make restitution to PPL for $20,749, supply a DNA sample, render a total of 200 hours of community service over the 42 month period, pay court costs of over $1,000 and pay a $50 per month supervision fee while on probation.

As part of the plea deal, Sencion is to make a $5,000 payment on the PPL bill within three days.