Numerous cases heard in common pleas court

A Michigan woman had her charge dropped in the courtroom of Lawrence County Common Pleas Judge Andy Ballard Wednesday after successfully completing her intervention in lieu of conviction.

Kachina Hirsch, 21, of 1171 Stanley Ave., Pontiac, Michigan, previously pleaded guilty to attempted possession of drugs, a fourth-degree felony, where she was then given a sentence of intervention in lieu of conviction.

The sentence requires defendants to successfully receive regular treatment and abstain from using drugs and/or alcohol with regular drug testing. When one is found to successfully complete all that is asked of them by the court, charges are then dropped.

In other cases:

• Jeremy Artrip, 37, of 2126 Five Fords Road, Louisa, Kentucky, pleaded not guilty to possession of a controlled substance (heroin), a fifth-degree felony. Jude Andy Ballard set bond at $1,500 cash or surety and $1,500 OR. Pretrial was set for Aug. 22.

• Michael Carey, 44, of 1758 ½ N. Second St., Ironton, pleaded guilty to possession of drugs (methamphetamine), a fifth-degree felony. He was eligible for intervention in lieu of conviction, and Ballard ordered him to complete treatment and STAR.

• Christopher Ervin, 51, of 2803 S. Fifth St., Ironton, previously pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to possession of drugs (methamphetamine), a fifth-degree felony. His evaluation, which found that he was competent to stand trial, was admitted into court. Ballard set a final pretrial for Sept. 19, and trial is set for Oct. 1 and 2.

• Edward Holsinger, 48, of 1119 S. Third St., Ironton, previously pleaded not guilty to possession of cocaine and possession of drugs (hydrocodone), both fifth-degree felonies. Ballard continued bond, and a final pretrial where a final offer will be given was set for Sept. 26. If he rejects the state’s final offer, trial is set for Nov. 1 and 2.

• Christian Laramore, 31, address unknown, admitted community-controlled sanctions (CCS) violations. Ballard sentenced him to 75 days in jail with credit for 18 days served.

• Michael Lusk II, 19, of 736 County Road 52, Ironton, pleaded guilty to possession of drugs (methamphetamine), a fifth-degree felony. He was eligible for intervention in lieu of conviction, and Ballard ordered him to complete treatment at STAR.

• Ronald Maynard, 60, of 714 S. Fourth St., Ironton, pleaded guilty to possession of drugs (oxycodone), a fourth-degree felony. He was eligible for intervention in lieu of conviction, and Ballard ordered him to complete treatment, drug court and 200 hours community service.

• Ronald Pemberton, 35, of 312 Township Road 137 W., Ironton, pleaded not guilty to attempt to commit burglary, a third-degree felony. Ballard continued bond, and a final pretrial where a final offer will be given is set for Aug. 22. If he rejects the state’s final offer, trial is set for Sept. 4.

• Amy Pennington, 34, of 2421 S. Fifth St., Ironton, pleaded not guilty to possession of heroin, a fifth-degree felony. Ballard set bond at $100,000 cash or surety and $100,000 OR. Pretrial was set for Aug. 22.

• Timothy Perkins, 56, of 7895 County Road 1, South Point, admitted CCS violations. Ballard continued his CCS with 11 months reserved, added an additional 27 hours to his current community service and ordered him to be assessed by Mended Reeds.

• Justin Wells, 29, of 164 Township Road 1021, South Point, previously pleaded not guilty to possession of heroin, a second-degree felony, aggravated trafficking in drugs, also a second-degree felony, tampering with evidence, a third-degree felony, and two counts of vandalism, both felonies of the fifth-degree, over two cases. Both cases are set to be consolidated, and a final pretrial where a final offer will be given is set for Aug. 22. If he rejects the state’s final offer, trial is set for Sept. 6.

• Eddie Estep, 36, of 630 Township Road 60, South Point, admitted CCS violations. Ballard sentenced him to six months in prison and ordered him to pay court costs.

• Anthony Jones, 28, of 815 First St., Chesapeake, pleaded not guilty to receiving stolen property, a fourth-degree felony, two counts of possession of drugs (methamphetamine, Suboxone), both fifth-degree felonies, and operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, a first-degree misdemeanor. Ballard set bond at $5,000 cash or surety and $25,000 OR. Pretrial was set for Sept. 5.

• Richard Robinson, 49, of 104 Washington Court, South Point, pleaded not guilty to aggravated trafficking in drugs, a fourth-degree felony. Ballard set bond at $50,000 OR and ordered him to be placed on GPS monitoring. Pretrial was set for Aug. 22.

• Urian Benicker, 34, of 711 ½ Vernon St., Ironton, previously pleaded not guilty to complicity to aggravated trafficking in drugs, a second-degree felony. He rejected the state’s final offer of six years in prison, and is facing a maximum of eight years behind bars if found guilty at trial. Judge Charles Cooper set trial for Sept. 24.

• Virginia Carter, 43, of 2624 Roosevelt Ave., Ashland, Kentucky, pleaded not guilty to possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine), a fifth-degree felony. Cooper set bond at $5,000 OR. Pretrial was set for Sept. 12.

• William Howell, 43, of 2009 S. Seventh St., Ironton, pleaded guilty to possession of drugs (methamphetamine), a fifth-degree felony. Cooper sentenced him to four years CCS under intensive supervised probation (ISP) with 11 months reserved, and ordered him to complete treatment at Mended Reeds.

• Chad Lloyd, 24, of 5334 Main Drive, Charleston, West Virginia, pleaded not guilty to two counts of theft of a motor vehicle, both fourth-degree felonies, and two counts of criminal simulation, both felonies of the fifth-degree. Cooper set bond at $5,000 cash or surety and $5,000 OR. Pretrial was set for Sept. 5.

• Jepsey Murrell, 49, of 101 Wilson Drive, Coal Grove, pleaded guilty to possession of drugs (methamphetamine), a fifth-degree felony. Cooper sentenced him to four years CCS under ISP with 11 months reserved, and ordered him to complete STAR.

• Zenna Spitler, 50, of 902 Gary Malone St., Lot 17, South Point, pleaded guilty to aggravated trafficking in drugs (methamphetamine), a third-degree felony. Cooper sentenced her to 30 months in prison with credit for time served.

• Leo Ulery, 25, of 322 Spruce St., Ironton, admitted CCS violations. Cooper sentenced him to 23 months in prison.