A Tamaqua man was sentenced to a state prison term on Thursday in Carbon County court on a charge of driving under the influence.

He was one of six defendants who previously pleaded guilty to criminal charges to be sentenced by President Judge Roger N. Nanovic II.

Crash investigation

Justin Neff, 35, was sentenced to serve one to five years in a state correctional institution, fined $2,500 and had his license suspended for 18 months.

He was arrested on May 12, 2018, by Nesquehoning police along Stock Street after his vehicle struck a utility pole. A test revealed the presence of a controlled substance.

Neff’s case has been delayed for some time. He entered a plea previously, then moved to withdraw it at the time of sentencing. A hearing on his motion to withdraw his plea was held by Nanovic who later issued an order denying the request.

Neff is currently an inmate in the Schuylkill County prison where he is facing charges, including possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance. His sentencing was done via video conference from the Schuylkill prison.

Nanovic also ordered him to supply a DNA sample at the state prison.

Other cases

Anthony Tyrone Bernardo, 46, of Jim Thorpe, was sentenced to serve three to 12 months in the county prison on charge of possession of drug paraphernalia. He was arrested on Feb. 2, 2019, by Lansford police following a traffic stop. He was a passenger in the vehicle. A charge of possession of a controlled substance was dropped in a plea deal with the district attorney’s office.

Prior to the start of the sentencing proceeding he entered a guilty plea to another count of possession of drug paraphernalia. He was arrested on that charge on Nov. 24, 2017, along West Patterson Street in Lansford. Police were serving a warrant at a residence and found the paraphernalia. In that case a charge of possession of a controlled substance was dropped in a plea deal.

Nanovic imposed the same sentence on that charge, with the terms running concurrently.

Bernardo was also ordered to get both drug and alcohol and mental health evaluations and attend and successfully complete an anger management course.

He will begin serving his sentence at 9 a.m. on June 12.

Adrian Thompson, 27, of Albrightsville, was placed on probation for 18 months on a charge of resisting arrest.

He was arrested on June 26, 2020, by Nesquehoning police in the 200 block of West Catawissa Street following a vehicle stop. Police attempted to serve a warrant on him and he resisted.

It was noted that Thompson is facing more serious charges including robbery, which is pending in the county court.

Nanovic also ordered him to get a drug and alcohol evaluation and follow any recommendation for treatment.

Thomas J. Parry, 52, of Slatington, was sentenced to serve 30 days to 24 months in the county prison on a DUI charge.

He was arrested on May 27, 2019, by state police at Lehighton.

Nanovic also ordered him to pay a fine of $2,500 and his license was suspended for a year.

He will begin serving the prison term at 9 a.m. on May 31 and serve it on consecutive two-day periods of Monday to Wednesday.

Jessica Hartman, 31, of Palmerton, was placed on probation for a year on a charge of persistent disorderly conduct. She was also ordered to get a drug and alcohol evaluation and zero tolerance imposed on drug or alcohol use.

She was arrested on Aug. 1, 2018, by Palmerton police.

She was also scheduled to be sentenced on a DUI charge but it was continued because she needs to obtain a drug and alcohol evaluation.

Alexis Guzman, 31, of Freeland, was sentenced to serve 72 hours to six months in jail, pay a fine of $1,000 and license suspended for a year on a DUI of controlled substance charge.

He was arrested on July 20, 2020, by state police at Hazleton in Banks Township.

He will begin serving his jail term at 10 a.m. on May 28.

Each defendant must also pay court costs of about $1,000 and a $50 per month supervision fee while on probation or parole.