Burglary, drugs and sex crimes were among the cases getting attention this week in Lawrence County Common Pleas Court.

Johnny Corbin, Jr., 42, of

1723 S. Fourth St. Ironton, pleaded guilty to an amended charge of attempted gross sexual imposition. He was sentenced to four years community controlled sanctions under intensive supervised probation and must also register as a sexually oriented offender.

Judge Charles Cooper issued a restraining order, thus ordering Corbin to stay away from his 12-year-old victim. Corbin’s attorney, Warren Morford, said the guilty plea spares all involved the agony of a trial.

“I think this is the best for all concerned,” Morford, said. “It avoids the confrontation in the courtroom and the emotion that would arise from those circumstances. I believe Mr. Corbin is remorseful for this.”

In another case, a couple were arraigned separately Wednesday on drug charges. Terri L. Knipp, 34, of 85 Private Drive 268, South Point, pleaded not guilty through her attorney, Samantha Fields to two counts of deception to obtain a dangerous drug.

Her boyfriend, Jeffrey Ash, 35, of

the same address,

pleaded not guilty

to the same charges through his attorney, Philip Heald. Both were given a $25,000 own recognizance (OR) bond and must return Aug. 15, for pretrial conferences.

Phillip Smithers, 24, of Ashland, Ky., pleaded guilty Wednesday to one count of burglary. Judge Richard Walton sentenced him to three years in prison.

However, if Smithers exhibits good behavior while he is in prison and if he makes total restitution of

$31, 200 to his victim, he may be eligible for judicial release after one year. If he is not able to make total restitution but is accepted into a community based correctional facility, he may be eligible for judicial release after two and a half years, again, providing he stays out of trouble while he is in prison. Smithers was given credit for time served in jail awaiting resolution of his case.

Derrick Cordle, 20, of Ashland, Ky., was sentenced Wednesday to four years in prison for a burglary conviction. He was given credit for time served in jail awaiting resolution of his case. If he stays out of trouble while he is in prison and if he testifies truthfully against a co-defendant, Cordle may be eligible for judicial release after two years.

Cooper rejected Cordle’s request for a brief furlough so he could spend time with his family before going to prison, but did grant him a brief visit with his family on Friday.

Jennifer Gothard, 27, of 1177 County Road 1, South Point, pleaded guilty Wednesday to one count of

complicity to trafficking in crack cocaine.

Walton sentenced her to a total of four years in prison. If she testifies truthfully against a co-defendant and if she exhibits good behavior while in prison, she may be eligible for judicial release after 18 months. Gothard was also fined $12,500. Walton rejected her request for a brief furlough to visit with her children before being sent to prison.

“Nothing really has changed, the kids were there before you did all this,” Walton said.

Bobby Hobbs, 26, of Lucasville, pleaded guilty Wednesday on a bill of information to one count each of burglary and complicity to commit burglary. Walton sentenced him to four years in prison.

However, if Hobbs stays out of trouble while he is in prison, he may be eligible for judicial release after three years.

Misty Littlejohn, 24, of 1587 County Road 52, Ironton, pleaded guilty on a bill of information to one count of burglary. She will be sentenced at a later date.