Drugs common theme among cases

Three defendants were given prison sentences this week in Lawrence County Common Pleas Court.

• Ronald R. Harmon Jr., 34, of 1173 County Road 1, Lot 8, South Point, previously pleaded guilty to two counts of domestic violence, both fourth-degree felonies, and disrupting public services, also a felony of the fourth-degree. Judge Charles Cooper sentenced him to three years in prison.

• Thomas J. Holsinger, 20, of 1314 S. 10th St., Ironton, pleaded guilty to trafficking in drugs (methamphetamine), a third-degree felony. In another case, he also admitted CCS violations. Cooper sentenced him to 30 months in prison.

• Matthew Hoff, 29, of 83 Township Road 1039, Apt. 2, Chesapeake, pleaded guilty to endangering children, a fifth-degree felony. Judge Andy Ballard sentenced him to 11 months in prison.

In other cases:

• Nicholas Barton, 20, of 3106 County Road 12, Proctorville, pleaded not guilty to possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine), a fifth-degree felony. Ballard set bond at $15,000 OR. Pretrial was set for Oct. 17.

• John E. Collins, 28, of 707 Fuls Road, New Lebanon, pleaded not guilty to aggravated trafficking in drugs (methamphetamine), a third-degree felony, three counts of aggravated possession of drugs (methamphetamine, acetaminophen/oxycodone), one third-degree felony and two fifth-degree felonies, and improperly handling firearms in a motor vehicle, a felony of the fourth-degree. Ballard continued bond at $25,000 cash or surety from lower court and set a $50,000 OR bond. Pretrial was set for Oct. 24.

• Damion Fox, 33, of 127 Township Road 1021, South Point, pleaded not guilty to theft, a fifth-degree felony. Ballard continued bond at $5,000 cash or surety from lower court and set a $15,000 OR bond. Pretrial was set for Oct. 17.

• Floyd A. Franklin, 57, address listed as Lawrence County Jail, denied community-controlled sanctions (CCS) violations. Ballard set CCS trial for Oct. 17, and ordered him to get a mental health assessment.

• Joseph D. Hicks, 38, of 203 Burnsdale Road, Louisville, Kentucky, pleaded not guilty to possession of heroin, a fourth-degree felony, possession of cocaine, a fifth-degree felony, and possession of drug paraphernalia, a fourth-degree misdemeanor. Ballard continued bond at $5,000 cash or surety from lower court and set a $25,000 OR bond. Pretrial was set for Oct. 17.

• Michael D. Maze, 32, of 1528 County Road 123, Chesapeake, pleaded not guilty to two counts of assault on a peace officer, both fourth-degree felonies. Ballard set bond at $25,000 OR. Pretrial was set for Oct. 24.

• Gary E. Stephens, 50, of 461 Township Road 1055, Proctorville, previously pleaded not guilty to burglary, a second-degree felony. Ballard set another pretrial for Oct. 24, where he will be given a final offer. If he rejects the offer, trial is set for Nov. 15-16.

• Seth N. Thompson, 27, of 1905 Dixon St., Ashland, Kentucky, pleaded not guilty to aggravated possession of drugs (methamphetamine), a fifth-degree felony. Ballard continued bond at $5,000 from lower court and set a $15,000 OR bond. Pretrial was set for Oct. 24.

• Kenneth Winters, 59, of 1611 ½ S. Fourth St., Ironton, pleaded guilty to aggravated possession of drug (methamphetamine), 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.

• James B. Barton, 46, of 415 Etna St., Apt. D, Russell, Kentucky, 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.

• Larry M. Chinn, 30, of 4670 State Route 141, Ironton, pleaded guilty to aggravated vehicular assault, a second-degree felony, failure to comply with the order or signal of a police officer, a third-degree felony, and driving while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, a first-degree misdemeanor. Cooper set sentencing for Oct. 17.

• Michelle K. Curry, 37, of 101 Wilson Drive, Coal Grove, previously pleaded guilty to trafficking in drugs (methamphetamine), a second-degree felony, possession of drugs (methamphetamine), a third-degree felony, and possession of drugs (Suboxone), a first-degree misdemeanor. Cooper sentenced her to four years CCS under ISP with three years reserved, and ordered her to complete STAR.

• Stephanie J. Gallagher, 38, of 1563 N. Second St., Ironton, pleaded guilty to possession of drugs (acetaminophen), a fifth-degree felony. Cooper set sentencing for Oct. 10.

• Lisa A. Hammonds, 35, of 153 Township Road 89, Proctorville, pleaded not guilty to trafficking in drugs (methamphetamine), a third-degree felony. Cooper set bond at $25,000 OR and placed her on GPS monitoring. Pretrial was set for Oct. 31, and Cooper also ordered her to complete weekly drug testing until then.

• Mary J. Miller, 27, of 3982 State Route 3306, Argilite, Kentucky, pleaded guilty to possession of heroin, a fifth-degree felony. Cooper sentenced her to four years CCS under ISP with 11 months reserved.