A Lansford man arrested in November with around 3.5 ounces of methamphetamine was sentenced Tuesday in Carbon Court to 4-8 years in state prison.

Michael Curry, 35, pleaded guilty to one felony count of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance.

He was picked up Nov. 16 in Nesquehoning in a joint operation involving the Nesquehoning Police Department, Lansford Police Department, the Carbon County Drug Task Force, Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, and U.S. Marshals. Authorities also seized money and drug paraphernalia during the bust.

“Mr. Curry is a significant drug addict, but he’s not a professional drug dealer,” Public Defender Jeffrey Velander told Common Pleas President Judge Roger Nanovic before sentencing. “This was not a profit making venture for him.”

Nanovic noted that Curry has a history of drug-related offenses.

Tuesday marked his third conviction on the same charge. In 2020, he was sentenced to 3.5-7 years in state prison on a possession with intent to deliver charge out of Schuylkill County, which followed a Carbon County offense in 2015.

“What concerns me is (Curry) has been in the state drug treatment program and was thrown out for committing yet another offense,” Nanovic said. “This is a serious offense.”

The sentence handed down Tuesday will run consecutive to the prison term he is serving for the Schuylkill County charges.

“I’m trying to better myself and get a hold of this addiction,” Curry said. “I’m trying to have a better life and I apologize for my actions and my mistakes.”