Several people who violated their probation were among those making appearances Wednesday in Lawrence County Common Pleas Court.

Kevin D. Birch, 37, of Barboursville, W.Va., admitted he violated his probation by not reporting to his probation officer as required. Birch was on probation for an earlier aggravated menacing conviction.

Judge Charles Cooper ordered him to successfully complete a rehabilitation program at the STAR Community Justice Center and to serve an additional year of probation.

“I know this is kind of a second chance,” his attorney Chris Delawder said. Delawder added that Birch has many reasons to want to turn his life around, including children and parents who are supportive.

Cooper told Birch that STAR offers a program that is meant to do just that — turn his life around.

“There is lots to do. They have activities all day long; you won’t just be sitting around. It’s far from prison but it is serious work and you have to follow the rules,” Cooper said. Cooper denied a request for a short furlough but did arrange a supervised visit between Birch and his family.

Steven T. Simpson, 36, of 814 Walnut St., Ironton, admitted he, too, violated his probation by failing to report to his probation officer and testing positive for drug use Feb. 20.

Cooper sentenced him to 10 months in prison and denied a request for a brief furlough before Simpson is sent to prison. Simpson was on probation for an earlier burglary conviction.

Frank Lewis, of 1903 S. Eighth St., Ironton, admitted he, too, violated his probation by testing positive for drug use, not paying his restitution and by not reporting to his probation officer.

Judge D. Scott Bowling sentenced him to six months in prison and denied the request for a brief furlough but said he would allow a supervised visit between Lewis and his family.

Scott D. Worthington, 22, of 3959 County Road 128, Ironton, admitted he violated his probation by failing to report to his probation officer.

“I’m sorry for causing trouble,” Worthington told Bowling. “I know I messed up.”

Bowling sentenced him to 12 months in prison and denied a request for a brief furlough.

In another matter, Corey Sadler, 20, of 12125 State Route 217, Scottown, pleaded guilty to one count of arson and one count of breaking and entering.

“This stems from a house fire in Chesapeake that was started by the defendant for no apparent reason,” Assistant Lawrence County Prosecutor Brigham Anderson explained.

Bowling sentenced Sadler to four years community controlled sanctions under intensive supervised probation (CCS/ISP) and ordered him to successfully complete a program at the STAR Community Justice Center. Sadler must also pay $10,000 restitution.

Charles G. Dickess, 28, 2509 S. Sixth St., Ironton, pleaded guilty to a bill of information to one count each of forgery and theft from the disabled. He also admitted that by committing these crimes he violated his probation. Cooper sentenced him to a total of 18 months in prison.