Missing a bus ultimately led to a longer prison sentence for a Chesapeake man, he argued in Lawrence County Common Pleas Court Wednesday.

Lee Woodlee, 37, of 56 Township Rd. 1031, pleaded guilty to an escape charge after he failed to show up for a previously imposed prison sentence.

Woodlee told the court that he failed to show up for his original prison sentence on May 24 because he was in Huntington saying goodbye to his wife and kids and missed a bus to get back. He was arrested for escape over two months later in Huntington on Aug. 8.

Woodlee said he became scared after missing the bus.

“I knew I was going to be in trouble,” he said, sobbing. “Then I made the biggest mistake of my life. I didn’t contact the right people. For that I am truly sorry.”

Judge D. Scott Bowling sentenced Woodlee to two years in prison to run consecutively with his eight-month prison sentence for possession of heroin.

Also in court Wednesday, Judge Charles Cooper sentenced Michael L. Compton, 37, of 396 County Rd. 70 Lot 30, Proctorville, to five years in prison with credit for time served. Compton pleaded guilty to one count of burglary. He was also ordered to pay court costs.

Dane Deer, 50, of 509 1/2 Hecla St., Ironton, pleaded guilty to misdemeanor driving under suspension and reckless driver. Deer had originally been charged with felony driving under the influence until Assistant Prosecutor Brigham Anderson agreed to amend the charge.

Deer told the court that he was on medication for a liver transplant that affected his blood pressure and caused him to wreck. Judge Bowling sentenced Deer to two years probation, ordered him to pay a $1,150 in fines and $4,300 restitution.

Rusty Patrick, 19, of 287 Township Rd. 616, South Point, pleaded guilty to three counts of aggravated drug trafficking, a fourth-degree felony. Judge Cooper sentenced Compton to 17 months in prison.