Defendants answer drug charges
Published 12:13 am Sunday, May 4, 2014
IRONTON — Several Lawrence County residents made common pleas court appearances Wednesday to answer drug charges.
Paula Crissinger, 48, of 114 Jennifer St., Coal Grove, was arraigned on counts of third-degree trafficking in cocaine, third-degree possession of cocaine, misdemeanors of possession of drug abuse instruments and possession of marijuana, to which she pleaded not guilty.
Judge Charles Cooper set bond at $45,000 cash or surety plus GPS and set a pretrial for May 21.
Grady Smith Jr., 43, of 6 Private Drive 2076, Kitts Hill, was arraigned on identical charges and also pleaded not guilty. Cooper set the man’s bond at $75,000 cash or surety plus GPS and set a pretrial for May 14.
Nathan Spurlock, 32, of 24 Township Road 1234, Proctorville, was arraigned on three counts of fourth-degree trafficking in heroin, to which he pleaded not guilty.
Judge D. Scott Bowling set bond at $10,000 own-recognizance plus GPS. A pretrial was set for May 21.
Evan Henry, 33, of 307 Township Road 169, Pedro, was arraigned on charges of third-degree tampering with evidence and fifth-degree possession of drugs, to which he pleaded not guilty. Bowling set bond at $10,000 OR plus $15,000 cash or surety and set a pretrial for May 21.
Shannon Lewis, 32, of 912 County Road 119, Ironton, pleaded guilty to two fifth-degree counts of possession of drugs. A third-degree count of theft of drugs was dismissed.
Cooper set sentencing for May 14.
John Waugh, 37, of 3305 South Bend St., Loris, S.C., pleaded guilty to a second-degree count of illegal manufacture of drugs and fifth-degree possession of drugs.
Cooper sentenced the man to four years in prison, which he will serve after he testifies at the trial of a co-defendant.
Jeffrey Lutz, 38, of 1464 Back Road, Franklin Furnace, pleaded guilty to a fifth-degree count of possession of drugs. Misdemeanor counts of DUI and possession of drug abuse instruments were dismissed. Lutz also admitted probation violations.
Bowling sentenced the man to 16 months in prison, a six-month driver’s license suspension and a $1,250 fine.
Nathan Penix, 40, of 5600 Route 60 E., Huntington, W.Va., admitted CCS violations and was sentenced to nine months in prison.
Donald Spears, 41, of 225 W. Ross Court, Ashland, Ky., pleaded guilty to a fifth-degree count of breaking and entering.
Bowling ordered a presentence investigation and set sentencing for May 21.
— Michelle Goodman