Theft case ends with prison time

Published 9:54 am Monday, November 16, 2009

Theft, drugs and probation violations topped the docket last week in Lawrence County Common Pleas Court.

Christopher Friend, 29, 34 Private Drive 3477, Kitts Hill, pleaded guilty on a bill of information to one count of theft.

Judge Charles Cooper sentenced him to 11 months in prison and ordered him to pay $1,500 in restitution jointly and severally with two co-defendants.

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Friend’s attorney, Warren Morford, said he thought this was in the best interest of all concerned.

“I hope he will be released and become a productive member of society after he serves his sentence,” Morford said.

Madison Kelly, 21, of 55 Township Road 249 W, Ironton, pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated trafficking in drugs.

Judge D. Scott Bowling sentenced him to four years community control sanctions under intensive supervised probation (CCS/ISP) and fined him $2,500.

Kelly must also successfully complete a rehabilitation program at the STAR Community Justice Center and surrender his driver’s license for six months.

“He realized he allowed himself to get out of control,” Kelly’s attorney, Mike Davenport, said. “He believes STAR will be of value to him and help him get his life back in order.”

Didrie C. Stapleton Riffe, 36, of 111 ½ Lincoln St., Coal Grove, was arraigned on one count of trafficking in drugs and three counts of aggravated trafficking in drugs. She pleaded not guilty through her attorney, Warren Morford.

Bowling set a $50,000 own recognizance bond plus a $50,000 cash bond. If she makes bond, Riffe must submit to electronic home confinement. Bowling set a Dec. 9 pretrial conference date.

Meaghan Gail Russell, 25, of 2571 County Road 120, South Point, was arraigned on one count if aggravated trafficking in drugs and two counts of complicity to trafficking in drugs.

She pleaded not guilty through her attorney, Mike Gleichauf. Bowling set bond a $25,000 OR bond plus a $25,000 cash bond and ordered Russell to return to court Dec. 9 for a pretrial conference.

Joseph Wilson, 22, of 302 Washington St., Coal Grove, admitted he violated his probation by not reporting to his probation officer as required and testing positive for drug use.

“I’m sorry for wasting your time,” Wilson told Bowling.

Bowling sentenced him to 20 months in prison.