A former Carbon County employee, charged with burglary, criminal trespass, simple assault, harassment and criminal mischief, was placed in the county's Accelerated Rehabilitation Disposition probation program for first-time offenders on Tuesday.

James Martino, 48, formerly of Lake Harmony, now residing in Jim Thorpe, was placed in the program on a motion by the district attorney's office.Judge Joseph J. Matika approved the placement after noting that the two victims in the incident had "signed off" on the placement.Martino, who was formerly employed in the planning office and coordinated the Community Development Block Grant projects, was charged by Kidder Township police for an incident on Oct. 24, 2013, at the home of his ex-girlfriend, identified as Jennifer Bloger.Police charged that Martino came to the home and punched Bloger's boyfriend, Nicholas Gebhardt.According to police, Officer David Mason responded to 93 N. Lake Drive in Lake Harmony for a report of an assault incident. While en route, Mason was told that the suspect, Martino, had left the home. He was later located and charged.Mason's report stated that Martino punched Gebhardt in the face, laughed, and went out through the back door of the residence. The report stated that Martino entered the home in an unknown manner, went upstairs and found Bloger and Gebhardt in a bedroom watching a movie. He entered the home and assaulted Gebhardt.At the time Martino was an employee of the county and had worked in the planning office for about seven years. Part of his duties were coordinating block grant projects.Matika indicated he was going along with the placement since Bloger and Gebhardt had agreed to it.Martino was placed for a year and ordered to render 100 hours of community service, have no contact with Bloger and Gebhardt, and make restitution in an amount to be determined by the adult probation office.He must also pay a $450 assessment for the cost of the program, pay court costs, which average about $1,000, and pay a $50 per month supervision fee while in the program.