A Carbon County man was sentenced to a county prison term last week on a drug possession count.

Ronald Edmund Hagenbach Jr., 56, of Lansford was sentenced to serve a total of one day less 12 to one day less 24 months on charges of possession of a controlled substance, heroin, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

He was arrested by Jim Thorpe police on July 4, 2016. He previously pleaded to the charges.

The case took a long time through the system with a total of 15 continuances filed. Most were due to requests by the defense. In a plea deal with the district attorney’s office, a felony count of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance was dropped.

Hagenbach claimed he got involved in the drug use due to a former girlfriend.

He said, “I fell in love with the wrong person.” He said she was a drug user. He added, “I did not buy or sell drugs, but I did transport the drugs.” His arrest came after a traffic stop.

He said, “I know I must pay the price. I take full responsibility.”

Four character witnesses also testified on his behalf.

Judge Steven R. Serfass also ordered Hagenbach to get a drug and alcohol evaluation and follow any recommendation for treatment, render a total of 100 hours of community service when paroled, pay court costs of about $1,000 and pay a $50 per month supervision fee while on parole.

He was given credit for 38 days spent in prison on the charges and will begin the jail term at 9 a.m. on June 8. He was granted work-release privileges.