Drugs continue to be cause of court’s criminal cases

Drugs continue to underline the majority of cases as several defendants were sentenced on charges this week in Lawrence County Common Pleas Court.

• Fred Aldridge, 37, of 1109 Storm Alley, Ironton, admitted community-controlled sanctions (CCS) violations. Judge Andy Ballard sentenced him to six months in prison.

• Jesse Haney, 39, of 709 County Road 44, Pedro, pleaded guilty to theft of drugs (Clonazapam), a fourth-degree felony. He was eligible for intervention in lieu of conviction, and Ballard ordered him to complete treatment and 200 hours community service.

• Bryan Bryant, 29, of 2831 S. Eighth St., Ironton, pleaded not guilty to illegal conveyance of prohibited items onto the grounds of a detention facility or institution, a third-degree felony, trafficking in drugs (methamphetamine), a fourth-degree felony, and possession of drugs (methamphetamine), a felony of the fifth-degree. Ballard set bond at $30,000 cash or surety and $15,000 OR. Pretrial was set for March 14.

• Andrea Christian, 25, of 1597 Martha Court #21A, Lexington, Kentucky, pleaded not guilty to possession of drugs (methamphetamine), a fifth-degree felony. Ballard continued a $7,500 cash or surety bond from lower court and set a $25,000 OR bond. Pretrial was set for Feb. 28.

• Zachary Farrow, 37, of 808 Chinn St., Russell, Kentucky, pleaded not guilty to possession of drugs (methamphetamine), a fifth-degree felony. Ballard continued a $2,500 cash or surety bond from lower court and set a $25,000 OR bond. Pretrial was set for March 7.

• Albert Jenkins, 26, of 724 Lawrence St., Ironton, pleaded guilty to possession of drugs (Alprazolam), a fifth-degree felony. Ballard sentenced him to four years CCS under intensive supervised probation (ISP) with 11 months reserved, and ordered him to complete 200 hours community service.

• Blake J. Laudahl, age unknown, of 202 Bridge St., Worthington, Kentucky, pleaded guilty to aggravated possession of drugs (methamphetamine), a fifth-degree felony. Ballard sentenced him to six months in prison with credit for time served, and ordered him to pay court costs.

• Eric Lawson, 39, of 605 N. Kenova Road, South Point, pleaded not guilty to breaking and entering, a felony of the fifth-degree. Ballard set bond at $10,000 OR. Pretrial was set for next week.

• Michael B. Preston, 51, of 801 County Road 6, Ironton, pleaded not guilty to possession of drugs (Tramadol Hydrochloride), a fifth-degree felony, and illegal conveyance of prohibited items onto the grounds of a detention facility or institution, a third-degree felony. Ballard set bond at $10,000 cash or surety and $25,000 OR. Pretrial hearing was set for Feb. 21.

• Ryan Pyles, 27, of 902 Gary Malone St., Lot 16, South Point, pleaded not guilty to domestic violence, a fourth-degree felony. Ballard continued a $1,500 cash or surety bond from lower court and set a $10,000 OR bond. Pretrial was set for Feb. 28.

• Michael Short, 29, of 1124 S. Fourth St., Ironton, pleaded not guilty to two counts of trafficking in drugs (methamphetamine), both third-degree felonies. Ballard set bond at $50,000 OR. Pretrial was set for March 14.

• Nina Swartzmiller, 27, of 801 S. 10th St., Ironton, admitted CCS violations. Ballard sentenced her to eight months in prison.

• Natasha Strunk, 31, of 29 Clay St., Wheelersburg, had her terms and conditions terms and conditions changed due to not being accepted to STAR. Ballard re-sentenced her to jail until April 18, when she will then begin treatment.

• Aizon Sudderth, 21, of 1311 Beech St., Apt. 4, Ashland, Kentucky, pleaded guilty to improperly handling firearms in a motor vehicle, a fourth-degree felony. Ballard sentenced him to 30 days in jail with 26 days suspended and four days credit, making him eligible for release. A handgun was also forfeited in the case.

• Aaron Workman, 30, of 512 State Route 373, Ironton, pleaded not guilty to two counts of felonious assault, both second-degree felonies, and failure to comply with the order or signal of a police officer, a third-degree felony. His bond was set at $100,000 OR.

• Kristen M. Corbin, 28, of 519 Pine St., Ironton, previously pleaded guilty to trafficking in drugs (Oxyxodone), a third-degree felony, two counts of complicity to trafficking in drugs, both fourth-degree felonies, trafficking in drugs (morphine), also a fourth-degree felony, and trafficking in heroin, a fourth-degree felony. She was sentenced to three years in prison.

• Buddy Hardy, 34, of 26 Private Drive 1633, Chesapeake, pleaded guilty to breaking and entering, a fifth-degree felony. In another case, he pleaded guilty to receiving stolen property, a fourth-degree felony, and possession of drugs, a fifth-degree felony. He was sentenced to 28 months in prison.

• Terry Jarvis, 28, listed as homeless, pleaded guilty to possession of drugs (methamphetamine), a fifth-degree felony. In exchange for a guilty plea, one count of trafficking a controlled counterfeit substance, a fifth-degree felony, and one count of falsification, a first-degree misdemeanor, were nolled. Cooper sentenced him to four years CCS under ISP with 11 months reserved, and ordered him to complete STAR.

• Jonathan Ratcliff, 22, of 77 Township Road 1019, South Point, pleaded not guilty to breaking and entering, a fifth-degree felony, and improperly handling firearms in a motor vehicle, a fourth-degree felony. Cooper continued a cash or surety bond of $2,500 from lower court. Pretrial was set for Feb. 28.