A Pedro man facing time in a community-based correctional facility was given another chance to show the judge he was ready to go the straight and narrow.

Christopher Ball, 35, of 379 Township Road 155 E., previously pleaded guilty to counts of fifth-degree possession of drugs, misdemeanor possession of drugs and theft and was in Judge D. Scott Bowling’s courtroom on Wednesday for a sentencing hearing.

Based on the man’s prior convictions, which included breaking and entering and theft, assistant prosecuting attorney Jeff Smith recommended the man be sentenced to the STAR Community Justice center, along with four years community control sanctions.

“I don’t think straight community control is appropriate based on his criminal convictions,” Smith said.

Ball’s attorney, Warren Morford, said his client has cooperated with the state and has shown remorse for his crimes, which were a result of a drug problem.

“He has a handle on his drug problem now,” Morford said. “… He has learned from this. He has learned from his relapse.”

Morford said Ball has been able to hold down a job and has been promoted at that job several times, as well as take care of his three children. Morford recommended a term of probation.

“Let him have this chance, your honor,” he said. “I don’t think he’ll disappoint the court.”

Ball told the court he has left his former life behind.

“I’ve been doing everything I need to be doing,” Ball said.

Bowling sentenced the man to four years CCS under intensive supervised probation, four months house arrest with work privileges, a $1,250 fine, 200 hours community service and a six-month driver’s license suspension.

In other cases:

• Leva Sparks, 34, of 2318 Geswein St., Ironton, was arraigned on a bill of information of a fifth-degree and a misdemeanor count of theft from McDonald’s in Ironton. The woman pleaded guilty.

Bowling set bond at $10,000 own-recognizance, ordered a presentencing investigation (PSI) and set sentencing for Jan. 28.

According to court records, Sparks was an employee at the Ironton McDonald’s and stole more than $3,200 from the business.

• Margie Marcum, 33, of 2483 Deep Elk Road, Inez, Kentucky, pleaded guilty to a fifth-degree count of possession of drugs (heroin) and a misdemeanor count of possession of drug abuse instruments. Bowling ordered a PSI and set sentencing for Jan. 28.

• Jerry Roof, 45, of 615 Cliff St., Ironton, was arraigned on a bill of information of fifth-degree harassment by an inmate, to which he pleaded not guilty.

Bowling set bond at $10,000 OR and $10,000 cash or surety. A pretrial was set for Feb. 4.

• Hillary Nance, 23, of 27 Private Drive 904, Ironton, pleaded guilty to a third-degree count of tampering with evidence. Bowling ordered a PSI and sentencing was set for Jan. 28.

• Candice McFann, 29, of 181 Township Road 324, Pedro, was arraigned in a bill of information of fifth-degree trafficking in drugs, to which she pleaded not guilty. Bowling set bond at $10,000 OR and $10,000 cash or surety and set a pretrial for Feb. 4.

• Steven Davis, 37, admitted CCS violations and was sentenced to 44 days time served.

• Stanley Carter, 36, of 621 S. Eighth St., Ironton, was arraigned on a fifth-degree count of forgery, to which he pleaded not guilty. Bowling set bond at $10,000 OR and scheduled a pretrial for Feb. 4.

• George Layne, 33, of 2697 State Route 243, Ironton, admitted CCS violations. Judge Charles Cooper set sentencing for Jan. 28.

• Ladonna Sisler appeared in court on a charge of contempt of court for failing to appear to a grand jury hearing. Sisler admitted failing to appear and Cooper sentenced her to five days in the county jail suspended and a $500 fine.