Numerous defendants enter pleas

Four defendants were sentenced on drug charges in the courtroom of Lawrence County Common Pleas Judge Andy Ballard this past Wednesday. Numerous other defendants also entered pleas to charges, with drugs continuing to make up a large number of cases heard.

• Anthony Jones, 28, of 815 First St., Chesapeake, pleaded guilty to receiving stolen property, a fourth-degree felony, two counts of possession of drugs (methamphetamine, Suboxone), both fifth-degree felonies, and possessing a counterfeit controlled substance and operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, both first-degree misdemeanors. Ballard sentenced him to 17 months in prison with credit for time served, and ordered him to pay court costs. He will be eligible for judicial release after nine months, if he can maintain a good record in prison.

• Charles Schob II, 47, of 908 S. Eighth St., Ironton, pleaded guilty to tampering with evidence, a third-degree felony, and possession of drugs (methamphetamine), a felony of the fifth-degree. Ballard sentenced him to four years community-controlled sanctions (CCS) under intensive supervised probation (ISP) with 11 months reserved, and ordered him to complete treatment at Riverside Recovery Services and 200 hours community service.

• Jeffrey Castle, 30, of 2322S. Fifth St., Ironton, pleaded guilty to possession of drugs (methamphetamine), a fifth-degree felony. He was eligible for intervention in lieu of conviction, and Ballard ordered him to receive treatment at Mended Reeds.

• Amethyst Marcum, 24, of 207 Locust St., Coal Grove, pleaded guilty to possession of cocaine, a fifth-degree felony. He was eligible for intervention in lieu of conviction, and Ballard ordered him to complete treatment at STAR and 200 hours community service.

In other cases:

• Ryan Russell, 44, of 2109 N. Second St., Ironton, pleaded not guilty to four counts of trafficking in drugs (methamphetamine), three third-degree felonies and one fourth-degree felony. Ballard set bond at $100,000 cash or surety and $100,000 OR. Pretrial was set for Sept. 12, where a final offer of two years in prison will be given. If he rejects the state’s offer, he is facing a maximum of 10 and a half years behind bars.

• Carl Johnson, 56, of 614 Hecla St., Ironton, pleaded not guilty to trafficking in drugs (methamphetamine), a fourth-degree felony. Ballard set bond at $1,500 cash or surety and $25,000 OR. Pretrial was set for Sept. 26.

• Christopher Maynard, 41, of 1711 Echo Drive, Ironton, pleaded not guilty to trafficking in heroin, a fifth-degree felony, trafficking in drugs (Opana), a fourth-degree felony, and two counts of trafficking in cocaine, both fifth-degree felonies. All of his charges also carry firearm specifications. Ballard set bond at $15,000 OR and placed him on GPS monitoring. Pretrial was set for Sept. 26.

• Donald Sisler Jr., 28, of 2163 County Road 22, Ironton, pleaded not guilty to trafficking in drugs (methamphetamine), a fourth-degree felony, trafficking in heroin, a third-degree felony, having weapons while under disability, a third-degree felony, illegal conveyance of prohibited items onto the grounds of a detention facility or institution, also a felony of the third-degree, and resisting arrest, a second-degree misdemeanor. Ballard set bond at $25,000 OR and placed him on GPS monitoring. Pretrial was set for Oct. 3.

• James Chaffins, 37, of 645 A Coal Bank Hollow, Ironton, pleaded not guilty to complicity to trafficking in drugs, a fourth-degree felony, and trafficking in drugs (morphine), also a fourth-degree felony. Ballard set bond at $15,000 OR and placed him on GPS monitoring. Pretrial was set for Sept. 26.

• Robert Stevens, 32, of 315 Ridgeway St., Coal Grove, pleaded not guilty to failure to appear, a fourth-degree felony. In another case, he previously pleaded not guilty to tampering with evidence, a third-degree felony, and possession of drugs (methamphetamine), a fifth-degree felony. Ballard set bond at $25,000 OR, and set pretrial in both cases for Sept. 26.

• Ethan Anderson, 21, of 3668 State Route 141, Ironton, denied CCS violations. Ballard set CCS trial for Sept. 26.

• Victor Bradshaw, 55, of 2120 S. Fifth St., Ironton, admitted CCS violations. Ballard continued his CCS under ISP, and ordered him to complete treatment at Mended Reeds and pay court costs.

• Joey Carrico, 43, of 1311 Renaissance Circle, Charleston, West Virginia, pleaded guilty to theft of a motor vehicle, a fourth-degree felony. Ballard sentenced him to nine months in prison, which will run with time he’s serving in West Virginia.

• Scott Christian, 39, address unknown, admitted CCS violations. Ballard continued his CCS and ordered him to complete STAR and pay court costs.

• Dwayne Ford Jr., 21, of 10 Private Drive 257, South Point, pleaded not guilty to failure to comply with the order or signal of a police officer, a third-degree felony. Ballard set bond at $25,000 OR and set pretrial for Oct. 3.

• Zachary Tackett, 28, of 329 ½ 26th St., Huntington, West Virginia, pleaded guilty to failure to comply with the order or signal of a police officer, a third-degree felony. Ballard sentenced him to two years in prison, which will run with time he’s serving in Kentucky, and ordered him to pay court costs. His license was also suspended in the case.

• William Brown, 36, of 105 Township Road 1424, South Point, pleaded not guilty to receiving stolen property, a fourth-degree felony. Ballard set bond at $25,000 OR, and set pretrial for Sept. 26.

• Matthew Hoff, 29, of 83 Township Road 1039, Apt. 2, Chesapeake, pleaded not guilty to endangering children, a fifth-degree felony. Ballard continued bond at $1,500 cash or surety from lower court and set a $15,000 OR bond. Pretrial was set for Sept. 19.

• Tyler Kemper Jr., 27, of 206 Solida Road, Unit B, South Point, pleaded not guilty to felonious assault, a second-degree felony. Ballard set bond at $15,000 OR and placed him on GPS monitoring. Pretrial was set for Sept. 26.

• Christian Laramore, 31, of 466 County Road 58, South Point, pleaded guilty to failure to comply with the order or signal of a police officer, a third-degree felony. Ballard sentenced him to two years in prison, and ordered him to pay court costs and a $500 fine.

• Randy Pine, 46, of 2075 County Road 35, Chesapeake, pleaded not guilty to failure to appear, a fourth-degree felony. He is currently on a $50,000 OR bond with GPS monitoring in a separate case, and Ballard set pretrial for Sept. 19.

• David Rann, 24, address unknown, admitted CCS violations. Ballard continued his CCS under ISP with 180 days reserved, and ordered him to complete treatment at Mended Reeds, 100 hours community service and pay court costs.