Methamphetamine common in cases

A South Point man accused of sexual misconduct with a minor rejected the state’s final offer in Lawrence County Common Pleas Judge Charles Cooper’s courtroom on Wednesday.

Joey M. Payne, 38, of 95 Private Drive 5823, South Point, previously pleaded not guilty to sexual battery, a felony of the third-degree. The state offered Payne four years in prison with the possibility of judicial release after one year, if a clean record is maintained in prison.

According to the indictment, on or about April 1, 2017 through July 19, 2017, in Lawrence County, Payne engaged in sexual conduct with a minor, while serving as the victim’s athletic or other type of coach or instructor. Payne was allegedly assisting the victim with her softball skills, and served as a private coach with no affiliation with South Point schools.

With Payne’s rejection of the state’s offer, he is currently facing five years in prison if found guilty, as well as having to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life.

Cooper set trial in the case for Feb. 5.

In other cases:

• Shane C. Blanton, 33, of 1115 Latonia St., Ironton, pleaded guilty to improperly handling firearms in a motor vehicle, a fourth-degree felony, and possession of drug paraphernalia, a fourth-degree misdemeanor. Cooper set sentencing for Feb. 14.

• Sean D. Brown, 36, of 871 Henry Clay Blvd., Lexington, Kentucky, pleaded not guilty to trafficking in drugs (methamphetamine), a fourth-degree felony, trafficking in drugs (Alprazolam), a fifth-degree felony, possession of criminal tools, also a fifth-degree felony, and resisting arrest, a misdemeanor of the second-degree. Cooper set bond at $35,000 cash or surety, $50,000 OR and ordered him to be placed on GPS monitoring.

• John R. Hogan, 32, of 3462 Bexvie Ave., Columbus, pleaded not guilty to breaking and entering, vandalism and possession of criminal tools, all fifth-degree felonies. Cooper set bond at $10,000 OR and set pretrial for two weeks.

• Clayton A. Pate, age and address unknown, admitted CCS violations following a CCS trial. Cooper sentenced him to 17 months in prison with credit for time served.

• James R. Rockwell, 51, of 2088 State Route 141, Ironton, pleaded not guilty to three counts of trafficking in drugs (methamphetamine), all felonies of the fourth-degree. Cooper set bond at $25,000 cash or surety, $50,000 property and $50,000 OR.

• Owen Friend, 43, of 2437 S. 10th St., Ironton, pleaded guilty to possession of heroin, a fifth-degree felony. He was eligible for treatment in lieu of conviction, and Cooper ordered him to complete STAR, 200 hours community service and pay court costs.

• Kyle Black, 21, of 2088 State Route 141, Ironton, pleaded guilty to three counts of trafficking in drugs (methamphetamine), all fourth-degree felonies. Judge Andy Ballard sentenced him to four years community-controlled sanctions (CCS) with intensive supervised probation (ISP) with 34 months reserved, and ordered him to complete 200 hours community service, STAR and pay court costs.

• Deloneo Breham, 27, of 11358 Greenfield Road, Apt. 229, Detroit, Michigan, previously pleaded guilty to two counts of trafficking in drugs (Oxycodone), both fourth-degree felonies, and receiving proceeds of an offense subject to forfeiture proceedings, a felony of the fifth-degree. On Wednesday, he rejected the state’s final offer of 17 months in prison. Ballard continued bond at $40,000 OR and $20,000 cash or surety and set trial for March 5 and 6.

• Bryan Bryant, 29, of 80 High St., Coal Grove, admitted CCS violations. Ballard sentenced him to 120 days in prison.

• John Davis, 27, of 150 Township Road 1086, Apt. 9, pleaded guilty to tampering with evidence, a third-degree felony, and operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol and operating a motor vehicle while under suspension, both misdemeanors of the first-degree. In a separate case, Davis will be arraigned next week. Ballard delayed sentencing until after the pending case.

• Joseph Ison, 35, of 1492 County Road 4, Pedro, pleaded guilty to receiving stolen property, a fourth-degree felony. Ballard set sentencing for March 7.

• Tiffany Preston, 32, of 1365 County Road 1, Apt. 21, South Point, pleaded guilty to three counts of trafficking in drugs (methamphetamine), all felonies of the third-degree. Ballard sentenced her to four years in prison. She will be eligible for judicial release to STAR after one year if she maintains a clean record in prison.

• Michael Short, 29, of 620 Lawrence St., Apt. C, Ironton, pleaded guilty to two counts of aggravated trafficking in drugs (methamphetamine), both third-degree felonies, and aggravated possession of drugs (methamphetamine), also a third-degree felony. In another case, he pleaded guilty to failure to appear, a felony of the fourth-degree. Ballard sentenced him to four years in prison. He is eligible for judicial release to STAR after two years if he maintains a clean record in prison.

• Joshua Smith, 25, of 521 S. Seventh St., Paducah, Kentucky, pleaded guilty to possession of drugs (methamphetamine), a fifth-degree felony, and operating a motor vehicle without a valid license, a minor misdemeanor. Ballard sentenced him to six months in prison.

• David Woodyard, 43, of 213 Township Road 1163, Proctorville, pleaded guilty to forgery and receiving stolen property, both fifth-degree felonies. Ballard sentenced him to nine months in prison.

• Aaron Workman, 30, of 512 State Route 373, Pedro, admitted CCS violations. Ballard sentenced him to one year in prison.

• Debra Newcomb, age unknown, of 844 County Road 180, Ironton, previously pleaded guilty to possession of drugs (methamphetamine), a fifth-degree felony. Ballard ordered her to go back to treatment at Mended Reeds.