If the wages of sin is death, the wages of drug abuse is sometimes prison. At least two people found that out the hard way Wednesday during appearances in Lawrence County Common Pleas Court.

Jaime Alvaro Jr., 24, of 217 Second Ave., Chesapeake, admitted he violated his community controlled sanctions (CCS), also known as probation, because of a drug addiction. Judge D. Bowling sentenced him to 28 months in prison.

Assistant Lawrence County Prosecutor Brigham Anderson said Alvaro served 20 months in prison on an aggravated robbery conviction and was granted judicial release in June 2005 so that he could undergo a rehabilitation program at the STAR Community Justice Center. Alvaro violated his probation by failing to report to his probation officer and getting into more trouble in other states.

Alvaro’s attorney, Warren Morford, said since his release from prison Alvaro had led a law-abiding life until he became addicted to crack cocaine. He has tried to get help,” Morford said.

Alvaro agreed, telling Bowling that his family had tried to help him and because of his addiction, he began stealing from them. He began using a bank card tied to his parents’ business and amassed a $200,000 debt, forcing his parents to file for bankruptcy.

“Once you put it in your system, you’re not the same human being anymore,” Alvaro said. “It (crack cocaine) changes you.”

Also, Danny J. Martin, 53, of 243 Township Road 1031, South Point, pleaded guilty to one count of driving while intoxicated and three counts of trafficking in drugs. Judge Charles Cooper sentenced him to four years in prison. If Martin stays out of trouble while he is in prison, he could be eligible for judicial release after six months if he is accepted at a community based correctional facility and successfully completes a program there. Martin must also surrender his driver’s license for three years.

Also Wednesday, Glendel R. Johnson, 51, of 119 Patrick St. Coal Grove, pleaded guilty to one count each of felonious assault and having a weapon under a disability (he is a convicted felon). One count of criminal damaging was dismissed in exchange for his guilty plea. Johnson also admitted that he violated his probation by getting arrested on these new charges. Cooper sentenced him to a total of three years in prison. Johnson said if his victim were in the courtroom, he would have told his victim he was sorry for what had happened.

“This is not me,” he said. Johnson’s attorney, Mike Davenport, asked Cooper for a brief furlough for his client so that Johnson could make arrangements for some property that he owned before he is sent to prison. But Assistant Lawrence County Prosecutor Bob Anderson objected to the request.

“With reference to the CCS (probation) violation, usually there is no furlough for CCS admission and there are concerns regarding threats to the victim,” Anderson said. Cooper denied the request.

William Edward Haney, 18, of 618 N. Sixth St., Ironton, pleaded guilty on a bill of information to attempt to commit burglary and possession of criminal tools. Cooper sentenced him to a total of four years in prison.

Mark T. Crank, 22, of South Shore, Ky., pleaded guilty to one count of fleeing and eluding a police officer and one count of felonious assault on a peace officer.

“This information stems from a high speed chase,” Lawrence County Prosecutor J.B. Collier Jr., said. “Mr. Crank was driving in both Coal Grove and Ironton. Fortunately no one was hurt but there could have been tragic consequences.”

Cooper sentenced Crank to four years in prison and ordered him to pay $1,000 in restitution to the village of Coal Grove for the police cruiser that was damaged in the incident.

“I’m sorry for the problems I’ve caused here,” Crank told Cooper. Crank promised not to get into any more trouble.

Annie-Laurie Adams, 26, of Ashland, Ky., was arraigned on one count of misuse of a credit card. She pleaded not guilty through her attorney, D.L. McWhorter. Bowling set bond an own recognizance (OR) bond of $25,000 and scheduled a Feb. 4 pretrial conference.

Randy Pine, 35, of 307 Second St., Chesapeake, was arraigned on one count of theft. He pleaded not guilty through McWhorter, who is also his attorney. Bowling set an OR bond of $20,000 and set a Feb. 4 pretrial conference.