Four defendants in pending criminal cases were placed in Carbon County’s Accelerated Rehabilitation Disposition probation program on Monday by Judge Joseph J. Matika.

If a person successfully completes all conditions of the program, their record will be wiped clean. However, if they fail to complete it, or are revoked from it, then they would face trial on all pending charges.

A person does not admit guilt in entering the program.

Placed were:

Christopher B. Gunderman, 27, of Easton, was placed for a year on a charge of firearm not to be carried without license. He was charged on Oct. 15, 2021, by state police at Lehighton along Delaware Avenue in Palmerton following a vehicle stop. Troopers found a concealed weapon in the vehicle.

He was assessed $450 for the cost of the program and ordered to render 50 hours of community service.

Damian C. Hatcher, 20, of Palmerton, was placed for a year on a charge of obstruction of the administration of law. He was arrested on July 28, 2021, by Palmerton police at the laundromat along Delaware Avenue.

He was assessed $650 and ordered to render 50 hours of community service.

Stephanie Betterly, 40, of Weatherly, was placed for six months on a charge of simple assault. She was arrested on Nov. 16, 2021, by Weatherly police for an incident involving her stepdaughter as the victim.

She was assessed $450 and ordered to render 50 hours of community service, attend and successfully complete a course in anger management and get a mental health evaluation and follow any recommendation for treatment.

Marquelle Newsome-Whittington, 29, of Whitehall, was placed for six months on a charge of possession of a small amount of marijuana. She was arrested on May 31, 2021, by state police at Lehighton along Pohopoco Drive in Franklin Township following a vehicle stop.

She was assessed $450 and ordered to render 25 hours of community service.

Each defendant must also pay court costs of over $1,000 and a $50 per month supervision fee while in the program.