A woman accused of aiding others in drug activity avoided a prison sentence Wednesday in Lawrence County Common Pleas Court.

Michelle Schumann, 47, of 1216R S. Fifth St., Ironton, pleaded guilty to one count of complicity to trafficking in drugs.

Judge D. Scott Bowling sentenced Schumann to four years community control sanctions under intensive supervised probation (CCS/ISP) and fined her $5,000 and suspended her driver’s license.

Schumann must testify truthfully against the woman she is accused of abetting in the drug trade, Lisa Howell, of Columbus.

“My client, I believe, is a lifelong resident of Lawrence County. She is the mother of three sons and this is her first criminal offense,” Schumann’s attorney, Warren Morford said. “She got mixed up with something she didn’t quite know what was going on, didn’t understand the gravity of the situation.”

The case against Howell is pending in common pleas court.

Also Wednesday, Matthew A. McDonald, 28, of 3148 County Road 127, Chesapeake, pleaded guilty to one count of breaking and entering. Bowling sentenced him to four years CCS/ISP and ordered him to continue with drug counseling.

Barry M. Adkins Jr., 26, 111 Fairview Ave., South Point, was arraigned on one count of theft.

He pleaded not guilty through attorney Mike Davenport, who was standing in for Luke Styer.

Bowling set a $15,000 surety bond and ordered Adkins to return to court in two weeks for a pretrial conference.

Carl D. Holston, 44, of 404 ½ S. Fourth St., Ironton, was arraigned on felony charges of breaking and entering and tampering with evidence and a misdemeanor count of resisting arrest.

He pleaded not guilty through his attorney, Warren Morford.

Bowling allowed a $25,000 cash or surety bond posted in municipal court to continue and added a $20,000 own recognizance (OR) bond. Bowling also set a Nov. 16 pretrial conference.

Justin R. Hager, 31, of 84 Township Road 183, Ironton, was arraigned on one count of felonious assault.

He pleaded not guilty through his attorney, Mike Gleichauf. Bowling set bond at $200,000 cash or surety plus $200,000 OR and scheduled a pretrial conference for Nov. 23.

Justin D. Hildreth, 20, of 317 Township Road 935, South Point, was arraigned on two misdemeanor counts of theft and four felony counts of theft. He pleaded not guilty through Gleichauf, who is also his attorney.

Assistant Lawrence County Prosecutor Jeff Smith asked that a $50,000 cash or surety bond posted in a lower court be transferred but Gleichauf told Bowling he though the bond was “a tad bit excessive,” adding that Hildreth “has not been charged with any crimes of violence.”

Bowling said Hildreth could post a $50,000 cash, surety or property bond and added a $50,000 OR bond. Hildreth must return to court Oct. 16 for a pretrial conference.