W.Va. man sent to prison for meth charge

Published 12:00 am Sunday, November 18, 2012

Two years was the sentence for a West Virginia man who was caught stealing items for the production of meth.

Harry Norris, 23, of 405 Eden Lane, Pliny, pleaded guilty to third-degree illegal assembly or possession of chemicals for the manufacture of drugs Wednesday in Lawrence County Common Pleas Court.

“Like a lot of young people, Mr. Norris struggles from a drug problem,” said Todd Long, Norris’ attorney.

Email newsletter signup

Long told Judge Charles Cooper that Norris’ drug addiction stemmed from a motocross accident, after which time the man began to abuse his medications.

Long also said when Norris was caught stealing items from Walmart to produce meth, he fully admitted to what he was doing, likely making the charges against him more severe.

Before sentencing, Norris spoke to the court.

“I just want to apologize for what I’ve done,” Norris said. “… I hope whatever comes out of this, it helps me.”

In other cases:

• Bradley Harrison, 28, of 110 Hogset Hollow, Ironton, was sentenced to four years community controlled sanctions under intensive supervised probation and a commitment to the STAR Community Justice Center. Harrison must also pay $527 in restitution.

Harrison previously pleaded guilty to a count of fifth-degree theft, as well as misdemeanor misuse of a credit card and criminal damaging, to which he was sentenced to nine months in the county jail, suspended.

• Amy Ferguson, 35, of 9 Leslie Lane, Ona, W.Va., pleaded guilty to one count of fourth-degree theft of drugs.

Cooper sentenced the woman to four years CCS/ISP, 30 days in the county jail and 30 days of house arrest with GPS monitoring.

• April Mount, 38, of 282 Township Road 36, Ironton, pleaded guilty to two counts of fifth-degree deception to obtain a dangerous drug.

Cooper sentenced Mount to 11 months in prison for each count, to be served concurrently.

• Jackie Payne, 39, of 3004 S. Fourth St., Ironton, was arraigned on a bill of information of second-degree burglary. Payne pleaded not guilty through her attorney, Warren Morford.

Cooper continued bond from a lower court and set a pretrial for Nov. 21.

• Jason Carpenter, 32, of 515 County Road 3, Chesapeake, pleaded guilty to a count of fifth-degree theft. Cooper ordered a pre-sentence investigation and deferred sentencing.

Carpenter waived his right to a speedy trial for a count of second-degree felonious assault from the same indictment.

• Patricia Layne, 28, of 318 Monroe St. Apt. 1, Ironton, was arraigned on a bill of information for fifth-degree theft. Layne pleaded guilty though her attorney, Scott Evans.

Judge W. Richard Walton sentenced Layne to four years CCS/ISP, STAR, 200 hours community service and ordered her to pay $204 in restitution.