A Hillsboro woman faces up to eight years in prison after pleading guilty to aggravated meth trafficking Wednesday in Highland County Common Pleas Court.
Jessica Colville, 35, Hillsboro, entered a plea of guilty to aggravated trafficking in methamphetamine, a second-degree felony, and is set for sentencing Aug. 2 at 9 a.m.
Defense attorney Kathryn Hapner, who represents Colville, said since a prison term was anticipated in the case, Colville needed some time to get personal matters in order. Judge Rocky Coss obliged.
While reviewing Colville’s files during proceedings, Coss said Colville was allegedly involved in a pattern of criminal activity in December stretching to Clark County and involving “bulk” amounts of meth.
Highland County Prosecuting Attorney Anneka Collins asked Coss to follow the state’s recommendation of a four-year prison term for Colville.
Colville said she has no prior record, and was visibly emotional in court while sitting with Hapner.
Several other drug-related charges were dropped as part of a plea arrangement.
Also Wednesday, a Clarksville man who had apparently used drugs before a court hearing recently was allowed intervention in lieu of conviction.
As reported by The Times-Gazette, Bret Ledford, 36, was arrested June 21 after testing positive for opiates during a recess in his court hearing.
Ledford appeared to be sweating and almost falling asleep throughout proceedings, and at the beginning of the hearing, Coss asked Ledford if he was feeling alright, since “you were looking like you were about ready to fall asleep back there.”
Ledford said he was feeling fine, and when Coss asked him if he would test positive for any drugs, Ledford said he wouldn’t.
Coss ordered a recess, during which Ledford produced a urine sample that tested positive for opiates.
“I knew you were having some issue when I was watching you, so I’m not surprised by the result,” Coss said when proceedings resumed, adding that the results indicated Ledford had taken some type of opiate just before proceedings began.
“I think you have a serious problem, Mr. Ledford,” Coss said.
Coss ordered Ledford be taken into custody for his own safety until Wednesday, when his request for intervention in lieu of conviction was granted. Ledford was approved to begin the Highland County Vivitrol program and ordered to be assessed for further drug treatment.
Ledford was initially indicted on drug possession charges.
Another man received a prison sentence Wednesday after admitting to violations of his community control sanctions.
Charles Wireman, 26, Peebles, was sentenced to 18 months in prison after admitting to being kicked out of the STAR Community Justice Center, where he allegedly tried to hit another person during a disagreement, according to Coss.
Wireman was found guilty of illegal assembly March 9 and sentenced to three years of community control sanctions and ordered to complete treatment at STAR.
Reach David Wright at 937-402-2570, or on Twitter @DavidWrighter.
