Drugs dominate cases in common pleas

Three defendants denied the state’s final offers in their respective cases Wednesday in Lawrence County Common Pleas Court.

• Urian Benicker, 34, of 711 ½ Vernon St., Ironton, previously pleaded not guilty to complicity to aggravated trafficking in drugs, a second-degree felony. The state gave him the choice of two final offers; four years in prison if he testified against his co-defendant, Christina Anderson, or six years in prison without testifying, in which he denied both. He is facing a maximum of eight years behind bars if found guilty at trial. Judge Charles Cooper set trial for Aug. 6.

• Richard Ellis, 46, of 66 Township Road 1419, Proctorville, previously pleaded not guilty to receiving stolen property, a fourth-degree felony. He rejected the state’s final offer of six months in prison, and is facing a maximum of 18 months in prison if found guilty at trial. Cooper set trial for Aug. 2.

• Walter Gipson, 34, of 1304 W. Collins St., Flatwoods, Kentucky, previously pleaded not guilty to tampering with evidence, a third-degree felony, and trafficking in drugs (methamphetamine) and improperly handling firearms in a motor vehicle, both felonies of the fourth-degree. The state offered him three years in prison with the possibility of release to STAR after one year if he maintains a clean record. He denied the offer, and is facing a maximum of six years in prison if found guilty at trial. Judge Andy Ballard set trial for Aug. 13-14.

In other cases:

• Brianna Bond, 24, of 605 S. Eighth St., Ironton, denied community-controlled sanctions (CCS) violations. Cooper set CCS trial for Aug. 1.

• George Bowen, 40, of 1017 McGovney St., Ironton, pleaded not guilty to trafficking in drugs (methamphetamine), a fifth-degree felony. Cooper set bond at $7,500 cash or surety. Pretrial was set for Aug. 15.

• Heather Christian, 30, of Ironton, pleaded not guilty to possession of drugs (methamphetamine), a fifth-degree felony. Cooper continued bond at $5,000 cash or surety from lower court and set a $5,000 OR bond. Pretrial was set for Aug. 1.

• Thomas Holsinger, 20, of 1314 S. 10th 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 STAR.

• David Malanowski, 37, of 307 Fourth St. E., Apt. 1, South Point, admitted CCS violations. He is already in jail, and will remain until a bed opens up at Mended Reeds.

• Joselyn Rose, 28, of 620 Willis St., Grayson, Kentucky, pleaded not guilty to possession of heroin and possession of drugs (methamphetamine), both fifth-degree felonies. Cooper set bond at $7,500 cash or surety and $10,000 OR. Pretrial was set for July 24.

• Nicholous Thomas, 21, of 274 Andrea Drive, Wheelersburg, pleaded guilty to possession of cocaine, a fifth-degree felony. He was eligible for intervention in lieu of conviction, and Cooper ordered him to complete treatment at Mended Reeds and 200 hours community service.

• James Bailey, 38, of 704 Lane St., Ironton, pleaded not guilty to aggravated trafficking in drugs (heroin), a third-degree felony, and possession of heroin, a fourth-degree felony. Ballard continued a $2,500 cash or surety bond from lower court and set a $50,000 OR bond. Pretrial was set for Aug. 15.

• Shannon Belcher, 42, of 204 B. Township Road 1403, Apt. 14, South Point, pleaded guilty to illegal conveyance of prohibited items onto the grounds of a detention facility or institution, a third-degree felony, and possession of cocaine, a fifth-degree felony. Ballard sentenced her to four years CCS under ISP with two years reserved, and ordered her to complete STAR and 200 hours community service.

• Christopher Dishman, 49, of 1923 Liberty Ave., Ironton, pleaded guilty to improperly handling firearms in a motor vehicle, a fourth-degree felony, and operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, a first-degree misdemeanor. Ballard sentenced him to 90 days in jail with 60 days suspended. He was also forced to forfeit a gun and concealed weapons in the case.

• Frank Lewis, 36, of 317 ½ Kemp Ave., Ironton, pleaded guilty to tampering with evidence, a third-degree felony, and theft, a felony of the fifth-degree. Ballard sentenced him to 18 months in prison with credit for time served.

• Jessi Pinkerman, 41, of 49 County Road 7F, Ironton, pleaded not guilty to  aggravated trafficking in drugs (heroin), a third-degree felony, and possession of heroin, a fourth-degree felony. She failed a drug screen, and Ballard set bond at $50,000 cash or surety and $100,000 OR. Pretrial was set for Aug. 15.

• Brandi Traylor, 35, of 2 Private Drive 293, County Road 124, Chesapeake, admitted CCS violations. Ballard sentenced her to four years CCS under ISP with 11 months reserved, and ordered her to complete STAR and 200 hours community service.

• Nancy Walker, 38, of 1807 Ellen Drive, Flatwoods, Kentucky, previously pleaded not guilty to theft, a fifth-degree felony. Ballard set trial for Oct. 29-30.

• Justin Wells, 29, of 164 Township Road 1021, South Point, pleaded not guilty to tampering with evidence, a third-degree felony, and two counts of vandalism, both fifth-degree felonies. He is currently in jail on charges of second-degree possession of heroin and second-degree aggravated trafficking in drugs. Pretrial was set for Aug. 15.

• Jalen White, 22, of 67 Township Road 1504, South Point, admitted CCS violations. Ballard ordered him to complete the STAR relapse program.

• Sean James, 26, of 412 Mill St., Ironton, pleaded not guilty to aggravated trafficking in drugs (Adderall), a third-degree felony. Ballard set bond at $20,000 cash or surety or $40,000 property and $40,000 OR. Pretrial was set for Aug. 15.

• Andrew Shepherd, 23, of 14 S. Illinois Ave., Wellston, pleaded not guilty to failure to comply with the order or signal of a police officer, a third-degree felony, two counts of assault on a peace officer, both fourth-degree felonies, and possession of drugs (methamphetamine) and possession of heroin, both fifth-degree felonies. Ballard set bond at $35,000 cash or surety and $70,000 OR. Pretrial was set for Aug. 1.

• Rodney Spears, 24, of 3361 State Route 243, Ironton, pleaded not guilty to two counts of aggravated trafficking in drugs (methamphetamine), both third-degree felonies, and trafficking in heroin, a felony of the fifth-degree. Ballard set bond at $70,000 OR and placed him on GPS home confinement until his pretrial. Pretrial was set for Aug. 15.

• Christopher Conwell, 36, of 92 Township Road 1018, South Point, pleaded not guilty to complicity to aggravated robbery, a first-degree felony. Ballard set bond at $75,000 cash or surety and $150,000 OR. Pretrial was set for Aug. 1.

• Frank Hill, 45, of 242 Jefferson Ave., South Point, pleaded not guilty to aggravated robbery, a first-degree felony, and having weapons while under disability, a third-degree felony. Ballard set bond at $75,000 cash or surety and $150,000 OR. Pretrial was set for Aug. 8.