One of a pair arrested in October when authorities went to a residence with indictments and discovered suspected drugs was sentenced to prison after pleading guilty to charges on Monday in Highland County Common Pleas Court.
Brittney D. Edwards, 24, Hillsboro, was sentenced to 24 months on third-degree felony trafficking in heroin, and to 30 months on third-degree felony aggravated trafficking in methamphetamine. Both charges were reduced from first-degree felony and second-degree felony, respectively. They are her first felony convictions.
She was initially charged by a November grand jury, along with Kacy Clouser, 33, also of Hillsboro, with first-degree felony counts of trafficking in and possession of heroin, second-degree felony counts of aggravated trafficking in and aggravated possession of methamphetamine, and fifth-degree felony cocaine possession.
Those charges stem from what authorities discovered at a McCoppin Mill Road apartment when Edwards and Clouser were arrested in October.
As previously reported, law enforcement had warrants to arrest the pair following October indictments, which also included the forfeiture of a vehicle. Items discovered while inventorying the vehicle led law enforcement to obtain a search warrant for the apartment, which turned up 153 grams of suspected heroin, as well as “a large amount of crystal methamphetamine,” and other drug-related items within the residence.
The fourth-degree felony trafficking in and possession of heroin charges levied against Edwards in October were dismissed as per Monday’s plea agreement with the state.
Also in that agreement, the state said it would not oppose judicial release to the STAR residential treatment program after 18 months of prison.
Clouser on Monday also plead guilty, but to two counts of fourth-degree felony heroin trafficking he was charged with in October. He is scheduled to be sentenced in February. The case involving the charges brought in November is still pending in the court.
Chad A. Eggleton, 38, Greenfield, pled guilty in two cases to four counts of trafficking in heroin in the vicinity of a school, all fourth-degree felonies, and to third-degree felony having weapons while under disability. He was sentenced to four years in prison combined as the sentences on all five counts were ordered to run consecutively.
Eggleton said he is currently facing felony drug charges in Fayette County as well.
In other hearings, Austin Lavan, 20, Leesburg, pled guilty to fourth-degree felony unlawful sexual conduct with a minor. He will be sentenced in February after the completion of a presentence investigation.
Adam Willey, 18, Hillsboro, pled guilty to third-degree felony gross sexual imposition. He is also scheduled to be sentenced in February after a presentence investigation.
In both cases, after sentencing each defendant will be required to register as a sex offender on a regular basis and for a set amount of time.
Reach Angela Shepherd at 937-393-3456, ext. 1681, or on Twitter @wordyshepherd.
