Drug cases focus of day

Drugs continue to dominate Common Pleas cases as Judge Andy Ballard heard two defendants change their pleas and accept treatment and community control sanctions over the possibility of imprisonment in a jury trial.

Summer L. Kuhn changed her plea to guilty on a charge of suboxone possession and was sentenced to four years of community control sanctions with intensive supervised probation, 200 hours of community service and was ordered to complete a rehabilitation program with Amended Reeds.

Amber D. Skaggs also changed her plea to guilty on a charge of selling or offering to sell methamphetamine, within the proximity of a minor. Skaggs, who has no prior record, was sentenced to four years of CCS with intensive supervised probation, 200 hours of community service, and was ordered to complete a program at STAR Community Justice Center.

The plea deal reserves 30 months in an appropriate penal institution for Skaggs if she violates the terms of her community control sanctions.

Kurtis Carter pleaded guilty to one count of producing a counterfeit narcotic, and had his bond amended to $25,000, with sentencing set for Jan. 18.

Kristin M. Depriest pleaded guilty to complicity to trafficking and was sentenced to four years of CCS with ISP and ordered to complete a program with STAR, as well as 200 hours of community service. Judge Ballard reserved 17 months for Depriest if she fails to complete the terms of her sentence or violates the terms of her community control sanctions.

Kayla Harless had her CCS extended for one year in a case of CCS violation.

Troy J. Hughes pleaded not guilty in his case, and had his bond set at $10,000. He will return Jan. 25 for pretrial.

Patricia L. Layne pleaded guilty to three counts of trafficking. Her bond was amended to $50,000 and sentencing scheduled for Jan. 18.

Lisa Rentz was sentenced to eight months in a penal institution after an admission of violating the terms of her community control sanctions.

John A. Spencer, Trent Smoot, and Brandon L. McFann had their cases continued over.