A Carbon County woman entered guilty pleas in three pending criminal cases on Friday in Carbon County court.

She was one of three defendants in pending criminal cases to enter a guilty plea before Judge Joseph J. Matika.

Mahoning incidents

Tara Jo Hauser

, 35, of Lehighton, pleaded to three counts of retail thefts for incidents at the Walmart store in Mahoning Township. The thefts occurred on Dec. 17, 2017, and Jan. 1 and Feb. 8, 2018.

Hauser admitted to a long-term drug addiction problem. She told the court, “I’m a long-term addict. Have been since I’m 15.”

She said she spent time in an inpatient rehabilitation program but relapsed.

Matika sentenced her to time-served (21 days) to 23 months in prison on each count with the terms running concurrently. She was also ordered to get a drug and alcohol evaluation and follow any recommendation for treatment, render a total of 100 hours of community service, make total restitution of $152.59 to Walmart and stay out of the store.

She is an inmate in the county prison on the charges and won’t be released until she submits a pre-parole plan establishing a residence.

Other pleas

Samson Z. Walton

, 25, of Weatherly, pleaded to one count of dogs not validly registered. He was charged by dog enforcement officials with not registering his dog after he was convicted by a district judge to a charge of harboring a dangerous dog.

Walton said the dog has since been put down.

Matika placed him on probation for nine months, current with an 18-month probation term he is currently serving in Schuylkill County, and ordered him to render 25 hours of community service.

Charles J. Zebley IV

, 58, of Kunkletown, pleaded to two counts of persistent disorderly conduct. He was arrested by Franklin Township police for an incident on June 23 at Pappy’s Schoolhouse Tavern along Long Run Road. Police responded to the business for a disturbance. Zebley was involved in an altercation with other patrons, police said.

Matika placed him on probation for a year on each count, running concurrently, and ordered him to render 50 hours of community service, stay out of the tavern, have no contact with any of the victims, attend and successfully complete an anger management course, and make restitution of $219.95 to one of the victims.

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