Probation violations were among the matters getting attention Wednesday in Lawrence County Common Pleas Court.

Martin E. Stapleton Jr., 29, of 2163 County Road 22, Ironton, admitted he violated his probation when he failed to report to his probation officer since November and, when he was tested positive for drug use.

He was on probation after he pleaded guilty last year to charges of breaking and entering, assault and attempt to commit theft.

Judge D. Scott Bowling sentenced Stapleton to six months in prison and denied his request for a brief furlough before being sent to prison.

Ryan A. Allen, 22, of 2629 S. Ninth St., Ironton, admitted he violated his probation when he failed to report to his probation officer and voluntarily admitted using marijuana and alcohol when he was arrested. Allen was on probation for a drug conviction.

Allen told Bowling he had successfully completed a program at the STAR Community Justice Center but once he was released, he returned to the company of people who had gotten him into trouble in the first place.

“I messed up right off the bat,” Allen said, adding that he “could not get it together” and stay clean and sober.

Bowling sentenced Allen to four months in prison.

Dustin T. Weiher, 28, of Ashland, Ky., admitted he violated his probation by not paying a substantial portion of his restitution and nothing toward his court costs. Bowling sentenced him to time served in jail awaiting resolution of his probation case and ordered he continue with his probation. Assistant Lawrence County Prosecutor Brigham Anderson did not ask for prison time because Weiher had tested negative for drug use when he was arrested and had missed only two months of reporting.

In other matters, Lisa Howell, 43, who lists a Columbus address and 2513 S. Fourth St., Ironton, on court records, was arraigned on one count of aggravated trafficking in drugs and one count of complicity to aggravated trafficking in drugs.

She pleaded not guilty through her attorney, Mike Gleichauf. Bowling set bond at $25,000 cash or surety and added a $25,000 own recognizance bond (OR) to it. Howell must return to court Feb. 8 for a pretrial conference.