Several defendants in pending criminal cases entered guilty pleas before Judge Steven R. Serfass.

Warren James Holton

, 49, of Lehighton, pleaded to one count of receiving stolen property. He was charged with taking the 2010 Ford Fusion of a Lehighton woman without her permission on Jan. 22. At the time he was on the run from state parole officers.

Serfass sentenced him to serve 36 to 72 months in a state correctional institution. The term runs concurrent with a parole violation he is now serving in SCI at Frackville. He must also supply a DNA sample.

Earl Eldridge

, 39, of Jim Thorpe, pleaded to one count of receiving stolen property. He was charged by Jim Thorpe police with taking various jewelry and other items from an elderly woman on or about Aug. 23, 2016.

A relative of the victim told Serfass that some of the items taken, including an engagement ring, were very personal to the victim and can never be replaced. She asked the court to impose a prison term.

Serfass deferred sentencing at the request of the defendant, who said he wanted to bring witnesses to testify on his behalf at the sentencing proceeding.

Catherine Virginia Faustner

, 45, of Palmerton, pleaded to one count of theft. She admitted stealing jewelry and other items from an elderly woman she was caring for at the time. She has already repaid the restitution due.

Serfass placed her on probation for 36 months and ordered her to render 150 hours of community service.

Jessica Lynn Valentini

, 41, of Lehighton, pleaded to one count of harassment. She was charged with texting threatening messages to a 10-year-old male at a residence in Franklin Township. Township police filed the charges. In exchange for the plea, three counts of terroristic threats were dropped.

It was noted that Valentini still lives with the victim. It was also noted the victim’s family agreed with the plea bargain made with the district attorney’s office.

Serfass placed her on probation for a year and ordered her to render 50 hours of community service.

Keith A. Washeim

, 48, of Lehighton, pleaded to one count of persistent disorderly conduct. He was arrested on Nov. 11, 2017, when Lehighton police responded to a garage along Lentz Avenue for a reported underage drinking party. At least six underage juveniles consuming alcohol were found at the scene.

In exchange for the plea, the district attorney’s office agreed to drop two counts of corruption of minors. Police initially charged Washeim with supplying the alcohol for the party, but since determined he did not. Also, the criminal complaint was amended to add the charge of persistent disorderly conduct.

Serfass placed him on probation for a year and ordered he 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.