Man gets eight years for Tackle Box break-in

Published 9:44 am Thursday, August 11, 2011

One of two men charged with breaking into the Tackle Box in South Point was sentenced Wednesday to eight years in prison for the crime.

Gary Bruce Thompson Jr., 35, of 901 S. Seventh St., Ironton, pleaded guilty before Judge Charles Cooper to first-degree grand theft, fifth-degree breaking and entering, fifth-degree vandalism and fourth-degree receiving stolen property.

Thompson apologized to the court.

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“I’d just like to say I’m sorry, your honor,” Thompson told the judge.

Thompson was also ordered to pay $650 in restitution and court costs.

Part of the negotiated plea is that Thompson would agree to testify truthfully in the case against his co-defendant, Rickey E. Winters, 51, 417 Solida Road, South Point. Winters’ case is still pending.

Also in court Wednesday, Patricia Blackburn, 49, of Lincoln Park, Mich., pleaded guilty to possession of heroin, trafficking in heroin, possession of drugs and trafficking in drugs, all of which are fourth-degree felonies.

Cooper sentenced Blackburn to a total of one year in prison.

Blackburn, along with co-defendant Kevin McDonald, 46, also of Michigan, were arrested in June following a traffic stop conducted by the Ohio State Highway Patrol.

McDonald pleaded no contest to his charges Wednesday. He was charged with fifth-degree aggravated drug possession in addition to possession of heroin, trafficking in heroin, possession of drugs and trafficking in drugs, all of which are fourth-degree felonies.

Cooper found the man guilty and sentenced him to a total of two years in prison.

In other cases:

Matthew Z. Lindsey, 21, of 56 Township Road 1057, Proctorville, pleaded guilty to fifth-degree breaking and entering, fifth-degree theft as well as misdemeanor theft. Lindsey broke into Chesapeake Elementary and stole items, all of which were recovered before they were noticed missing, Lawrence County Assistant Prosecutor Jeff Smith said. He also stole a bike that was recovered, Smith said.

Cooper sentenced Lindsey to four years of community-control sanctions. One of the terms of his CCS will be to successfully complete an appointment to the STAR Community Justice Center in Franklin Furnace. Lindsey was ordered to report to jail Monday. He will be out on bond until that time, the judge ruled.

Brian Swed, 25, of 265 Township Road 155 E., Pedro, denied violating his CCS. Cooper scheduled a CCS trial for next week.