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4 defendants plead in drug-related cases

Four defendants in drug-related cases entered guilty pleas in Carbon County court on Monday.

President Judge Roger N. Nanovic II accepted pleas from the following:Michael J. Smith Jr., 23, of Lehighton, pleaded to one count of possession of a controlled substance-marijuana.He was arrested on June 21, 2013, by Palmerton police in the area of Delaware Avenue and Fourth Street. Police responded to a report of possible drug activity. A vehicle stop was made and Smith was found to have a pipe and other drug materials.Smith was previously placed in the county's Accelerated Rehabilitation Disposition probation program but was revoked from it for violating conditions.Nanovic placed him on probation for a year and ordered he get a drug and alcohol evaluation and follow any recommendations for treatment and zero tolerance imposed on D&A use.Michelle Renee Partel, 34, of Slatington, pleaded to one count of possession of drug paraphernalia. She was arrested on Feb. 14 by Lehighton police along Route 443 following a traffic stop. She was a passenger in the vehicle and a pipe for smoking marijuana was found.Nanovic placed her on probation for a year and ordered her to get a D&A evaluation and zero tolerance imposed on D&A use.Amanda Lee Bayer, 27, of Lehighton, pleaded to one count of possession of drug paraphernalia. She was arrested on Jan. 24 in the area of 300 1/2 N. First St. by Lehighton police.Police were dispatched to the area to a report of drug activity.Nanovic placed her on probation for a year and ordered she get a D&A evaluation.Tara Jo Hauser, 31, of Coaldale, pleaded to one count of possession of drug paraphernalia. She was arrested on Feb. 26 by Franklin Township police following a traffic stop. She was a passenger in the vehicle and was found to had a needle used for meth.Nanovic placed her on probation for a year and ordered her to get a D&A evaluation and zero tolerance for D&A use.Each defendant must also pay court costs of about $1,000, and a $50 per month supervision fee while on probation.