Carbon County Court Judge Joseph J. Matika recently accepted two people into the Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition program. The program, for first-time nonviolent offenders, allows defendants to apply to have their records expunged upon successful completion. Acceptance into the program is not an admission of guilt.

Jeison B. Castillo, 21, of Willingboro, New Jersey, was charged by Lehighton State Trooper Troy M. Van Houten with driving under the influence of a controlled substance, impaired ability, first offense; driving under the influence of a schedule one controlled substance, first offense; possession of a small amount of marijuana; possession of drug paraphernalia; and prohibiting text based communications on Aug. 23, 2025.

Matika accepted him into the ARD program for one year and ordered him to pay the $550 cost of the program, as well as a $50 monthly supervision fee; Castillo surrendered his license for 60 days, and was ordered to enter and complete an outpatient drug treatment program and perform 50 hours of community service.

Jose M. Morales-Tirado, 22, of New Castle, Delaware, was charged by Lehighton State Trooper Matthew J. Lento with driving under the influence of a controlled substance, impaired ability, first offense; possession of a small amount of marijuana; possession of drug paraphernalia; careless, driving; driving without a license and improper sunscreening on Sept. 1, 2025.

Matika accepted him into the ARD program for one year and ordered him to pay the $600 cost of the program as well as a $50 monthly supervision fee. Morales-Tirado must surrender his license for 60 days, complete an outpatient drug treatment program and perform 50 hours of community service.