Several defendants enter pleas

The majority of cases in Lawrence County Common Pleas Court continue to involve drugs, and numerous defendants entered pleas this week.

• Megan Benicker, 33, of 1519 Thomas St., Pedro, admitted community-controlled sanctions (CCS) violations. Judge Charles Cooper sentenced her to nine months in prison.

• Kendrick Jones, 38, of 511 S. 10th St., Ironton, previously pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to possession of drugs (methamphetamine) and possession of heroin, both fifth-degree felonies. In another case, he previously pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to four counts of trafficking in heroin, three fifth-degree felonies and one fourth-degree felony. He also denied CCS violations in another case. He was found incompetent to stand trial, and Cooper ordered him for competency restoration at Appalachian Behavior Health in the amount of time allowed by law.

• Danny Spurlock, 25, of 15145 Amber Lane, State Route 3, Catlettsburg, Kentucky, previously pleaded not guilty to possession of heroin and possession of drugs (methamphetamine), both fifth-degree felonies. He failed a drug screen, and Cooper increased his bond to $20,000 cash or surety and $20,000 OR. Pretrial was set for July 18.

• Steven Stamper-Clark, 19, of 4513 State Route 93, Ironton, pleaded not guilty to possession of drugs (methamphetamine), a fifth-degree felony. Cooper set bond at $5,000 cash or surety and $10,000 OR. Pretrial was set for July 25.

• Andrew Branch, 28, of 1123 Third Circle Prospect, Ashland, Kentucky, pleaded not guilty to possession of drugs (methamphetamine), a fifth-degree felony. Judge Andy Ballard set bond at $10,000 OR.

• Amber Cade, 29, listed as homeless, pleaded not guilty to possession of drugs (methamphetamine), a fifth-degree felony. Ballard set bond at $10,000 OR.

• Jean Dodson, 37, of 3958 County Road 55, South Point, denied CCS violations. Ballard set CCS trial for July 11.

• Robert Felty, 55, of 217 Kentucky St., Ashland, Kentucky, pleaded guilty to possession of heroin, a fifth-degree felony. He was eligible for intervention in lieu of conviction, and Ballard ordered him to complete treatment and 200 hours community service.

• Larry Fox, 62, of 59 Township Road 1426, South Point, pleaded guilty to possession of heroin, a fifth-degree felony. Ballard sentenced him to four years CCS under intensive supervised probation (ISP) with 11 months reserved, and ordered him to complete 200 hours community service and interview with Riverside Recovery Services.

• Zachary Holbrook, 28, of 2008 Township Road 228, Proctorville, pleaded guilty to receiving stolen property, a fourth-degree felony. Ballard sentenced him to four years CCS under ISP, and ordered him to complete STAR, 200 hours community service and pay $150 in restitution.

• Joshua Kelley, 32, of 122 Center St., Coal Grove, previously pleaded not guilty to theft, a fifth-degree felony. He failed a drug screen, and Ballard increased his bond to $50,000 cash or surety.

• Michael Lusk, 19, of 736 County Road 52, Ironton, pleaded not guilty to possession of drugs (methamphetamine), a fifth-degree felony. Ballard set bond at $10,000 OR.

• Gary McComas, 22, of 2442 Harvey Road, Huntington, West Virginia, pleaded guilty to improperly handling firearms in a motor vehicle, a fourth-degree felony. Ballard sentenced him to three years misdemeanor probation and ordered him to complete 200 hours community service.

• D. Scott Lambert, 53, of 108 Higgins St., Coal Grove, pleaded not guilty to four counts of actions prohibited without a permit, all first-degree misdemeanors, three counts of illegal transportation of alcohol, all first-degree misdemeanors, two counts of trafficking in marijuana, one fourth-degree and one third-degree felony, and trafficking in drugs (psilocin), a fourth-degree felony. Ballard set bond at $25,000 OR.

• Chastity Payne, 26, of 813 County Road 15, South Point, pleaded not guilty to possession of heroin, a fifth-degree felony. Ballard set bond at $15,000 OR.

• Amy Pennington, 34, of 2421 S. Fifth St., Ironton, pleaded not guilty to possession of heroin, a fifth-degree felony. Ballard set bond at $10,000 OR.

• Mary Ann Ross, 47, of 308 Third St., Russell, Kentucky, pleaded not guilty to possession of drugs (methamphetamine), a fifth-degree felony. Ballard set bond at $10,000 OR.

• Aaron Runyon, 37, of 726 Gill St., Huntington, West Virginia, pleaded not guilty to possession of drugs (methamphetamine), a fifth-degree felony. Ballard set bond at $10,000 OR.

• Ryan Russell, 44, of 2109 N. Second St., Ironton, previously pleaded not guilty to four counts of trafficking in drugs (methamphetamine), three third-degree felonies and one fourth-degree felony. Ballard set another pretrial for Sept. 5, where a final offer will be given. If he denies the final offer, trial is set for Sept. 24-25.

There will be more common pleas cases in the Friday edition of The Tribune.