A Carbon County man entered guilty pleas to three criminal counts on Tuesday afternoon, April 11, in the county court.

He was one of 11 defendants in pending cases to enter a guilty plea before Judge Steven R. Serfass.Takes debit cardJames Scott McMurray, 35, of Nesquehoning and formerly of Lehighton, pleaded to one count each of theft by deception, receiving stolen property and access device fraud.He was charged by Palmerton police with taking the debit card of a borough resident and using it to make 10 separate transactions, which included purchases and withdrawals from ATMs totaling $1,804.33 in value.Serfass deferred sentencing to Judge Joseph J. Matika as McMurray is scheduled to appear before him for sentencing on other charges on April 20.Trespass countMichael Robert Hricik, 37, of Jim Thorpe, pleaded to one count of defiant trespass. He was charged by Jim Thorpe police for an incident on July 11at 112 Old Piney Road. Police were called to the area for a report of an intruder. On scene they learned that Hricik was on the property after previously being told he was not welcome.Serfass placed him on probation for a year and ordered he get a drug and alcohol evaluation, render 50 hours of community service and have no contact with the victim.Other pleasBernadette Poznar, 37, of Hazle Township, Luzerne County, pleaded to one count of receiving stolen property. She was arrested by Mahoning Township police following an incident at a residence along Packerton Dam Road. She and a male companion went to the home and asked to use the phone because their vehicle had a flat tire. While the man distracted the homeowner, Poznar took $70 in cash from the victim's purse. The money was later returned.Serfass sentenced her to time served (six days) to one day less 24 months in prison and ordered her to get a drug and alcohol evaluation, have no contact with the victim and render 100 hours of community service when released from custody.She is currently an inmate in the Luzerne County prison on other charges and has criminal counts pending in Schuylkill County.Nicholas Robert Hurwitz, 21, of Lehighton, pleaded to two counts of disorderly conduct, as summary offenses, with two counts of false reports to law enforcement dropped in a plea bargain.He was arrested on Feb. 3 and May 20, 2016, by Lehighton police for providing a false report about being assaulted in the borough. No assault ever occurred.Defense attorney Matthew Mottola, of the public defender's office, said Hurwitz suffers from mental health issues and was assaulted some time ago and that the assault incident keeps coming back to him and he reports it again. Since his arrest he has received counseling and is currently on medication to assist with his problems.Serfass imposed a fine of $100 on each count.Amy Louise Steigerwalt, 30, of Lehighton, pleaded to one count of retail theft, with six other counts dropped in a plea bargain.She was arrested on Dec. 13, 2016, by Lehighton police for an incident at the Dollar General Store along North First Street.She was placed on probation for a year and ordered to make restitution of $25.33 and render 50 hours of community service.Heather M. Wert, 28, of Lehighton, pleaded to one count of harassment as a misdemeanor three. A charge of terroristic threats was dropped in a plea bargain.She was charged by Lehighton police for an incident on July 27, 2016, in the area of 109 Gypsy Hill Gardens involving another female as the victim.She was placed on probation for a year and ordered to get a mental health evaluation and render 50 hours of community service.Wanda R. Deifer, 44, of Lansford, pleaded to one count of fraud in obtaining food stamps.Serfass placed her on probation for a year and ordered her to make restitution to the department of welfare for $2,098 illegally received in benefits. It was noted she has paid about half of that amount back already. She must also render 50 hours of community service.Scott William Kandy, 33, of Albrightsville, pleaded to one count of harassment as a summary offense. A charge of simple assault was dropped at the request of the victim, his wife. The incident occurred on Dec. 11, 2016, at their residence with state police at Fern Ridge filing the charges.He was fined $300.Kenneth Montanaro, 30, of Philadelphia, pleaded to one count of unsworn falsification to authorities. He was arrested by state police at Lehighton for an incident at Eastern Arms and Outfitters in Albrightsville. He applied for the purchase of a firearm and was not allowed to make such a purchase due to a prior conviction for domestic assault in which he served a prison term. He failed to report that arrest on the application, which was later rejected.Serfass placed him on probation for a year and ordered he render 50 hours of community service.Crystal Jean Michael, 33, of Kunkletown, pleaded to one count of receiving stolen property. She was arrested on Sept. 13, 2016, by state police at Lehighton for using the debit card of an elderly Palmerton area man at the BBT bank in Palmerton without permission. A theft count was dropped in a plea bargain.Serfass placed her on probation for 18 months and ordered her to make restitution of $160 and render 75 hours of community service.Alex Benton, 24, of Effort, pleaded to one count of false identification to law enforcement. He was arrested on Feb. 2 by Jim Thorpe police in the 300 block of Center Avenue following a vehicle stop. He gave a false name at the stop because he said he knew there was a warrant for his arrest in Monroe County.Serfass placed him on probation for a year and ordered he render 50 hours of community service.Each defendant must also pay court costs of about $1,000 and a $50 per month supervision fee while on probation or parole.