Common Pleas Court hears drug and domestic violence cases

Published 10:00 am Sunday, June 19, 2011

Drugs and domestic violence were among the crimes bringing people before Lawrence County Common Pleas Judge D. Scott Bowling Wednesday.

Mark Daniels, 42, of 2202 County Road 55, Ironton, pleaded guilty to one count of domestic violence. Bowling ordered him to successfully complete a program at the STAR Community Justice Center followed by four years community control sanctions under intensive supervised probation (CCS/ISP).

Benjamin J. Stafford, 30, of Flatwoods, Ky., pleaded guilty to one count of breaking and entering. Bowling sentenced him to four years CCS/ISP.

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“I appreciate the consideration in this case, the court, and the prosecutor, I appreciate your understanding,” Stafford told Bowling.

His cohort pleaded guilty as well. Andrea Applegate, 32, also of Flatwoods, Ky., was given the same sentence for the same crime.

Mitchell Robinson, 30, of 111 N. Seventh St., Ironton, pleaded guilty on a bill of information to one count of possession of drugs. Bowling ordered him to complete a program at the STAR Community Justice Center and four years CCS/ISP. Robinson must also pay a $1,250 fine and forfeit his driving privileges for six months. By pleading guilty on a bill of information, Robinson forfeits his right to have his case heard by a grand jury or common pleas jury, admits his guilt and proceeds directly to punishment.

His attorney, Derick Fisher, requested Robinson be given a brief furlough before he is sent to STAR so he can visit a doctor and have some prescriptions refilled.

“We would prefer he stay in (jail),” Assistant Lawrence County Prosecutor Jeff Smith countered, pointing out that Robinson is a diabetic. Illegal drug use, he said, is a particularly bad habit for someone with diabetes. But Fisher countered that the Lawrence County jail is full.

“His crime does not involve violence,” Fisher said.

Bowling granted the request for a furlough provided Robinson submits to random drug screening and electronically monitored home confinement.