A Luzerne County man pleaded guilty in Carbon County court to five criminal counts, all involving thefts at stores in Mahoning Township in Carbon County and in Rush Township, Schuylkill County.

Robert Eugene Stalter Jr., 42, of Hazleton, pleaded guilty before Judge Joseph J. Matika to two counts each of retail theft and receiving stolen property and one count of criminal conspiracy-retail theft.Stalter was charged with incidents that occurred on Oct. 5 and Dec. 5, 2014, at the Walmart store in Mahoning Township. He also admitted to three incidents in Rush Township at the Walmart store. There was also a theft incident at the Giant store in Mahoning.Stalter had con-defendants in the incidents.Matika deferred sentencing because Stalter is applying for placement in the state's Intermediate Punishment program.The program has a defendant serving about seven months in prison, followed by another seven plus months in a inpatient rehabilitation program and the rest of the two-year period spent in a halfway house.Matika said Stalter's placement in the program is determined by state correctional officials.Matika ordered Stalter transferred to a state prison for evaluation with sentencing deferred until a determination is made if he is eligible for the state IPP.After that sentencing will occur.Matika told Stalter, "If the state rejects your application, you'll be brought back here and sentenced."