A Luzerne County man admitted to drug dealing charges in Carbon County court on Monday and is facing a state prison term at the time of sentencing.

He was one of seven defendants in pending drug-related cases to enter a guilty plea before Judge Joseph J. Matika.

Controlled buy

Lewis Christopher Tucci Jr., 20, of Hazleton, pleaded to two counts of criminal conspiracy - possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance.

He was arrested by Weatherly police on Feb. 19 after police set up controlled buys. One sale was made in the area of the Dollar General Store along West Main Street and involved Oxycodone pills.

Matika told Tucci under state sentencing guidelines he faces a minimum prison term of 24 to 36 months in prison.

Sentencing was deferred as Matika ordered the adult probation office to prepare a presentence investigation report. Tucci also said he would apply for placement in the county’s Intermediate Punishment Program – house arrest.

Contraband in prison

Kevin John Gieniec, 33, of Summit Hill, entered guilty pleas in four pending cases including a charge of possession of a controlled substance – contraband into a prison.

Gieniec was arrested for the contraband charge on July 10, 2017, by Nesquehoning police when he was found with drugs by county prison guards while being incarcerated on other charges.

He also pleaded to three counts of possession of drug paraphernalia for incidents on May 4, 2017, in Weatherly, Sept. 26, 2017, in Lansford, and July 8, 2017, in Mahoning Township. In the last case a charge of possession of a controlled substance was dropped in a plea agreement with the district attorney’s office.

Gieniec is currently an inmate in the county prison.

Matika accepted the plea but deferred sentencing so Gieniec can apply for placement in the state’s Intermediate Punishment Program. The program runs for two years with about seven months spent in a state prison, followed by time in an intensive inpatient rehabilitation program and finally time in a halfway house. Gieniec will be transferred to a state prison for evaluation for the program. Sentencing will occur after the state completes the evaluation and makes a recommendation to Matika.

Other pleas

• Emerson A. Garrett

, 59, of Summit Hill, pleaded to one count of possession of a controlled substance-marijuana.

Garrett was arrested on April 18 when borough police and agents of the state Attorney General’s office served a search warrant at a West Ludlow Street address. While searching the home police found about four marijuana plants growing in the upstairs area of the home.

Garrett admitted he was growing the marijuana but said it was for his own personal use and not selling it. He said he sustained an injury years earlier that put him on disability and the marijuana was used for helping with pain.

Matika placed him on probation for a year and ordered he get a drug and alcohol evaluation and follow any recommendation for treatment.

• Jason David Cull,

22, of Hazleton, pleaded to one count of possession of drug paraphernalia.

He was arrested on Sept. 3, 2017 by Weatherly police following a traffic stop along Main Street. He was a passenger in the vehicle.

Matika placed him on probation for a year and ordered he render 50 hours of community service.

• Alivea Alove Ortiz,

24, of Hazleton, pleaded to one count of possession of marijuana.

She was arrested on May 11, 2014 by Nesquehoning police following a traffic stop.

Matika imposed a fine of $150 and costs.

• Cheyenne Marie Parr

, 21, of Palmerton, pleaded to one count of possession of drug paraphernalia.

She was arrested on Dec. 8, 2017, by Mahoning Township police in the parking lot of the Walmart store.

She was placed on probation for a year and ordered to get a drug and alcohol evaluation and render 50 hours of community service.

• Zachery Kyle Walker,

24 of Catasauqua, pleaded to one count of possession of drug paraphernalia.

He was arrested on March 10 by Weatherly police along East Main Street following a traffic stop.

He was placed on probation for a year and ordered to get a drug and alcohol evaluation and render 50 hours of community service.

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