Mother, son plead guilty to drug charges
Published 12:00 am Monday, April 28, 2008
A mother and son arrested in a drug bust at their home earlier this month pleaded guilty to the charges against them last week in Lawrence County Common Pleas Court.
Paula Martin, 44, of 1524 S. Fourth St., Ironton, pleaded guilty on a bill of information to one count of complicity to trafficking in marijuana. Judge D. Scott Bowling sentenced her to four years community controlled sanctions under intensive supervised probation (CCS/ISP) and fined her $2,500. Martin must also surrender her driver’s license for six months.
Her son, Christopher Martin, 19, of the same address,
sentenced to four years CCS/ISP and fined $1,250. He must also complete a rehabilitation program at the STAR Criminal Justice Center and surrender his driver’s license for six months.
“My client would like to get this matter behind him, get to STAR and get back and have a productive life,” Christopher Martin’s attorney, Warren Morford, said.
Charges are still pending against Christopher Martin Sr. All three Martins were arrested April 2. During the raid, authorities confiscated drugs, money and a stolen handgun.
In another case Wednesday, a man who took more than his wallet for a night on the town was sent to prison for six months.
William Fannin, 52, of Catlettsburg, Ky., pleaded guilty on a bill of information to having a weapon under a disability. On April 8, Fannin was arrested after patrons at Illusions bar, Fourth and Center streets in Ironton, told police a man was in the bar exhibiting a gun.
Assistant Lawrence County Prosecutor Mack Anderson said prison time was necessary since Fannin had an extensive criminal history and had been in prison before.
As part of his sentence, Fannin must also forfeit the gun.
Benjamin S. Hughes, 33, of 2553-1/2 S. Third St., Ironton, will serve four years CCS/ISP after he pleaded guilty to receiving stolen property. Hughes was originally indicted in November 2007 on two counts of theft and one count of unauthorized use of a vehicle.
In exchange for his guilty plea, two of those counts were dismissed and one count of theft was changed. Hughes must also pay $500 restitution to his victim.
Jason Stapleton, 23, of 303 Township Road 290, Ironton, pleaded guilty on a bill of information to one count of breaking and entering.
Bowling sentenced him to 60 days in the Lawrence County Jail and four years CCS/ISP. Bowling agreed that while Stapleton is in jail, he may participate in the community service program. Stapleton was given credit for time served in jail awaiting resolution of his case.
Aaron Grenier, 25, of 8338 State Route 93, Pedro, pleaded guilty on a bill of information to one count each of trafficking in marijuana, possession of criminal tools and possession of drugs. He will be sentenced at a later date.