Defendant fails test for drugs

Published 3:07 pm Thursday, December 12, 2013

An Ironton woman out on bond for drug and child endangerment charges found herself temporarily back behind bars after failing a mandatory court drug screen.

Cindy Gannon, 34, of 480 County Road 7C, Ironton, was scheduled for a pretrial conference Wednesday in Lawrence County Common Pleas Court. Judge Charles Cooper orders that all defendants released on bond be tested for drugs before each hearing.

Defendants are required to bring with them any prescription bottles for medication they lawfully take.

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According to Adult Probation Agency Officer Jonathan Sexton, Gannon tested positive for benzodiazepines and could not provide a prescription.

Roger Smith, attorney for Gannon, said she admitted to taking the medication and asked that she remain out on bond so she could attend a scheduled drug-counseling meeting that day.

“She has acknowledged her problem and wants to get treatment,” Smith said.

Cooper doubled Gannon’s bond to $20,000 cash or surety.

The woman was arraigned last month on four misdemeanor counts of endangering children and one fifth-degree count of possession of drugs following the arrest of her and her husband, Terry Lee Gannon, 40, on Nov. 15.

The Lawrence County Drug and Major Crimes Task Force alleged the agency had bought oxycodone from Terry Gannon on five separate occasions. Through those purchases law enforcement said they determined that Gannon was allegedly traveling to Detroit, Mich., to buy oxycodone and then bringing it back to Lawrence County to sell.

Terry Gannon was charged with one second-degree and three third-degree counts of trafficking in drugs.

Both defendants entered pleas of not guilty at their arraignments.

In other cases:

• Timothy Powell, 43, of 227 County Road 407, South Point, pleaded guilty to a second-degree count of improperly discharging a firearm at or into a habitation. Misdemeanor counts of menacing, criminal trespass and aggravated menacing were dismissed.

Cooper set sentencing for Dec. 31.

• Matthew Arthur, 20, of 16105 State Route 243, Chesapeake, pleaded guilty to fourth-degree count of receiving stolen property and resisting arrest, as well as a fourth-degree count of burglary, which was amended from a second-degree charge.

Misdemeanor counts of criminal simulation, carrying a concealed weapon and possession of drug abuse instruments were dismissed.

Cooper set sentencing for Dec. 31.

• Scott Zornes, 51, of 164 Private Drive 6586, Kitts Hill, pleaded guilty to a third-degree count of operating a motor vehicle while under the influence. Misdemeanor charges of driving left of center and driving under suspension were dismissed.

Cooper set sentencing for Dec. 31.

• Shannon Lewis, 31, of 912 County Road 119, Ironton, was arraigned on a third-degree count of theft of drugs and two fifth-degree counts of possession of drugs, to which he pleaded not guilty.

Cooper set bond at $25,000 own-recognizance and set a pretrial for Dec. 31.

• Bridget Stump, 28, of 216 A. Gullet Road, Franklin Furnace, was arraigned on a fifth-degree trafficking in drugs charge, to which she pleaded not guilty.

Cooper set bond at $25,000 OR and set a pretrial for Dec. 31.

• Leigh Maynard, 20, of 2988 County Road 2, Chesapeake, was arraigned on a count of second-degree robbery, to which she pleaded not guilty.

Cooper continued bond from a lower court and set a pretrial for Dec. 18.

• Ryan Hannon, 26, of 4059 County Road 73, Scottown, was sentenced to 12 months in prison for probation violations of failing to report to the APA and testing positive for drugs.