A Carbon County man was sentenced to a county prison term May 20 on a receiving stolen property charge stemming from the theft of street signs.

He was one of six defendants in criminal cases who previously entered guilty pleas and were sentenced by President Judge Roger N. Nanovic II.

Lansford incident

Jason M. Dietrich, 40, of Lansford, was sentenced to serve a total of six to 18 months in prison on charges of receiving stolen property, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

He was arrested on the receiving and drug possession count on Sept. 27, 2020, by Lansford police at his apartment along South Walnut Street. Police found two stolen borough road signs in the apartment along with methamphetamine.

Dietrich, who is an inmate in the county prison, was also ordered to get both drug and alcohol and mental health evaluations and follow any recommendations for treatment, supply a DNA sample and get his GED diploma.

Dietrich told the court he has been dealing with drug issues for the past 20 years.

He was given credit for six days already served on the charges.

Other cases

Hector Noel Rentas Jr., 31, of Allentown, was sentenced to serve six to 24 months in a state correctional institution on driving under the influence and recklessly endangering another person charges.

On June 26, 2018, Rentas led police on a chase ending with Rentas driving the wrong way on First Street in Lehighton.

He was also ordered to supply a DNA sample, pay a fine of $2,500 and license suspended for a year on the DUI charge. On a summary offense of careless driving he was fined $25 and costs.

On a driving under suspension - DUI related charge he was sentenced to serve 90 days in jail and pay a fine of $500. The term runs concurrent with the DUI charge.

Rentas is currently serving a 22 to 84 month state prison term at the state prison at Rockview, Bellefonte, Centre County, imposed in Northampton County.

Rodger John-Esser Keretz, 27, of Walnutport, was sentenced to time-served (16 days) to one year on a charge of possession of drug paraphernalia and a fine of $300 on a summary offense of harassment. A charge of simple assault was dropped in a plea deal.

He was arrested on Nov. 25, 2021, by Lansford police.

He must also get a drug and alcohol evaluation.

Crystal Steidinger, 40, of Nesquehoning, was sentenced in two DUI-related cases.

On DUI of a controlled substance she was sentenced to serve 72 hours to six months in jail, pay a fine of $2,500 and license suspended for a year. On a driving under suspension - DUI related, she was fined $1,000.

In a second case for driving under suspension - DUI related she was sentenced to serve 90 days in jail and pay a fine of $500. The jail terms run concurrently.

She was arrested on the first set of charges on Feb. 20, 2017, by Palmerton police and the second on March 13, 2017, also by Palmerton police.

She will begin serving the prison term on May 24 at 8 a.m. and serve it on consecutive two-day increments, Tuesday to Thursday.

Steven Carnaj, 45, of Reading, was fined $300 and costs on a summary offense of harassment. A felony 2 charge of criminal attempt - sexual assault, was dropped in a plea deal.

He was arrested on Sept. 7, 2019, by Nesquehoning police. The victim was an ex-girlfriend.

Brian A. Stepp, 37, of Emerald, Lehigh County, 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 also ordered to supply a DNA sample and render 100 hours of community service.

He was arrested on April 15, 2021, by state police at Lehighton.

He will begin the jail term at 10 a.m. on June 4.

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