A South Point man was sentenced last week on a probation violation; he was back in court this week answering an entirely new set of charges.

Derik R. Blankenship, 22, of 1097 County Road 1, South Point, was arraigned on misdemeanor charges of falsification and resisting arrest and a felony charge of escape. He pleaded not guilty through his attorney, David Reid Dillon.

Lawrence County Common Pleas Judge D. Scott Bowling did not set bond in the case because Blankenship was in jail already waiting to be sent back to prison on the probation violation.

Blankenship was originally sent to prison last year on a drug conviction but obtained a judicial release and was sent to STAR Community Justice Center to undergo a rehabilitation program. He was also placed on probation. Last week Blankenship pleaded guilty to a probation violation and was sentenced to 30 months in prison. While he was on probation but before he was arrested for violating his probation, Blankenship was arrested on the new charges, hence the new indictment.

“I don’t play my cards close to the vest,” a stern-faced Bowling told Blankenship. “I’m laying my cards on the table. It (your possible sentence on these charges) must run consecutive to the 30 months you’re already been sentenced to. And you don’t get credit (for time served) on this one. You’ve got (an additional) 18 months hanging over your head.”

Also Wednesday, Leroy Campbell II, 26, of 1921 Township Road 170, Chesapeake, was arraigned on one count each of grand theft of a motor vehicle and attempted grand theft of a motor vehicle. He pleaded not guilty. Bowling set bond at $5,000 cash or surety and $20,000 own recognizance (OR). Campbell must return to court Dec. 21 for a pretrial conference.

Brandon M. Dixon, 26, 2435 S. Ninth St., Ironton, was arraigned on one count of sexual battery. He pleaded not guilty through his attorney, Warren Morford. Bowling set bond at $10,000 and scheduled a Dec. 21 pretrial conference.