An Ironton man admitted to trafficking a synthetic drug Wednesday in Lawrence County Common Pleas Court.

Jason Newcomb, 32, of 65 Private Drive 954 County Road 52, pleaded guilty to a second-degree count of trafficking in drugs, which was 46 grams of Alpha-PVP, and a third-degree count of tampering with evidence. The man also admitted to community control sanctions violations.

Judge D. Scott Bowling sentenced the man to seven years in prison, a $7,500 fine and a one-year driver’s license suspension.

Bowling said he would consider a judicial release after five years, providing Newcomb stay out of trouble while in prison.

After sentencing, Newcomb asked the judge if he could marry his fiancée, who is pregnant, during a courtroom visitation this week. Bowling did not object.

In other cases

Joseph Skeens, 31, of 44 Jeffs Valley, Greenup, Kentucky, pleaded guilty to a second-degree count of illegal assembly or possession of chemicals for the manufacture of drugs.

Judge Charles Cooper set sentencing for Jan. 7.

Brody Green, 26, of 66 Township Road 1419 Apt. 3, Proctorville, entered an Alford plea of guilty to a count of fifth-degree theft from an elderly person.

Defendants maintaining their innocence can make an Alford plea if they admit the facts of the case are such that a jury is likely to find them guilty during a trial.

Co-defendant in the case, Jessica Green, 23, of 151 Maple Grove Road, Gallipolis, also entered an Alford plea to a fifth-degree count of complicity to theft from an elderly person.

Cooper ordered presentence investigations in both cases and set sentencing for Dec. 31.

Paula Crissinger, 49, of 19 Township Road 506 Kitts Hill, was sentenced to three years in prison for a third-degree count of tampering with evidence and fourth-degree counts of trafficking and possession of Alpha-PVP. She was also ordered to pay a $2,500 fine and her license was suspended for one year.

Gregory Laudenback, 37, of 106 Township Road 1197, Chesapeake, admitted CCS violations and was sentenced to one year in prison.

Joseph Settle, 36, of 301 Township Road 276 N., South Point, was sentenced to three years in prison on a third-degree count of child endangerment.

Dean Montroso, 43, of 1453 County Road 1, South Point, admitted CCS violations and was sentenced to 30 days in the county jail and out patient drug and alcohol treatment.

Cooper also extended the man’ probation by one year.

Brittany Sikes, 28, of 232 Seaton Drive, Russell, Kentucky, was sentenced to time served in jail for probation violations, as well as five months of drug and alcohol treatment at New Beginnings. Bowling also extended her CCS by one year.

Casey Rutt, 31, of 16460 State Route 218, Scottown, pleaded guilty to a fifth-degree count of complicity to breaking and entering. Bowling ordered a presentence investigation and set sentencing for Jan. 14.