Judge Charles Cooper set new court dates for Matthew Mullens on Wednesday, setting Mullens’ pre-trial for April 12 and trial for May 1.
Mullens, who had previously tried to mount an insanity defense, unsuccessfully, is accused of sexual assault of a minor child left in his care. Cooper also set dates in the felonious assault and attempted murder case of Marvin Sexton. Sexton is set to appear for pre-trial on March 15 and trial on April 5.

Walter Briggs II, 26, of Detroit, Michigan pleaded not guilty and was placed on a $50,000 cash surety bond, on charges of intent to distribute methamphetamine.

Briggs was arrested in a traffic stop after a K-9 unit alerted on a vehicle that he was passenger in. It was the first major bust for new Ironton K-9 officer Goose.

Dennis A. Davis and Zachary A. Fox both admitted to violation of their community control sanctions and were each awarded time in the penitentiary. Davis was sentenced to 90 days following his admission while Fox was sentenced to 15 months.

Randy E. Jackson, 39, of Ironton, waived his right to a jury trial and pleaded guilty to one count of burglary. Jackson was sentenced to seven months in jail, with credit for time served, and ordered to pay $60 in restitution.

Anneimika Walters, 39, of London, pleaded not guilty on charges of failure to report and possession of methamphetamine. Walters was placed on a $7500 cash surety bond and ordered to appear for pre-trial in two weeks.

Maurice A. Cooper, 39, of Farrell, Pennsylvania, will reappear at a later date after cases against him are merged. Cooper was initially charged with two counts of distributing cocaine and one count each of possessing a firearm while under disability, possessing criminal tools, and distributing methamphetamine.

Robert L. Williams, 58, of Ironton, and Kimberly A. Montgomery, 50, of Ironton, each pleaded not guilty in related cases. Williams is charged with aiding and abetting Montgomery on three counts of selling or offering to sell Oxycodone. Montgomery is also charged with a fourth count, of engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity. Each was offered release on $50,000 cash surety or property bond, with GPS monitoring.

In Judge Andrew Ballard’s courtroom Anthony R. Collins, 41, of South Webster was sentenced to five years in prison, maximum fine and given three years of post release control, with credit for six days of time served. Collins was charged with three counts of trafficking and engaging in a pattern of corrupt behavior.

Ronda S. Littlejohn, of South Point, pleaded guilty to charges of trafficking in methylphenidate. Littlejohn had her sentencing delayed until Feb. 15. Trent Smoot, 38, of South Point, also had his sentencing delayed, until Feb. 22, after pleading guilty in DUI case.

Judge Ballard explained afterward that sentencing might be delayed for several reasons. In some cases, like with Smoot, it could be to allow them to keep doctor’s appointments or other previously scheduled appointments. In other cases, he said, it is part of a negotiated plea when a person chooses to plea guilty.

“The prosecutor makes the decision to delay (in those cases),” he said.

Although Ballard noted that “the judge has the final decision”, he said he is usually inclined to go along with the prosecutor and defense when they have worked out a negotiated plea.

Darrel Gore, 54, of South Point, entered an admission to violating his community control sanctions and had his CCS continued.

John A. Spencer rejected his final offer in a case of trafficking in cocaine and had his trial date set.

Tyler J. Ruggles, 27, of South Point pleaded not guilty to two charges of burglary. Ruggles was placed on a $50,000 cash surety bond and ordered to where a GPS monitor should he make bond.

Donald A. Skaggs, 50, of Ironton, pleaded not guilty in a case involving one count of felonious assault and one count of resisting arrest. Skaggs was also placed on a $50,000 cash surety bond and had his pretrial date set for two weeks.