A Wilmington man was sentenced to prison on Tuesday after admitting to probation violations that included failing to report for more than a year.
Forrest T. Napier, 26, was sentenced to 12 months in prison on a fifth-degree felony breaking and entering charge, which he initially pled guilty to in 2014.
He was first sentenced to community control, and then was ordered to complete the STAR residential treatment program after probation violations in 2014. Court records show that a warrant was issued for his arrest in August 2015 after his whereabouts became unknown. He was arrested on that warrant last month.
According to defense attorney Allyce Horne, Napier had used only marijuana since his release from treatment, and that prior to his whereabouts becoming unknown, had no positive drug screens. He has also remained employed during his absence from the court, she said, adding that with the exception of reporting, Napier had stayed “on the right path.”
Napier acknowledged that he had made mistakes, but told the court that he was “done with the lifestyle” of addiction. He asked the court for a “second chance” to prove he had changed his life.
Judge Rocky Coss said that Napier had already been given a second chance when he violated his probation in 2014. He said that Napier also did not complete aftercare, and within a few months of completing the STAR program, the defendant was “gone.”
“It’s time to pay the price for your actions,” Coss said prior to sentencing Napier.
In another hearing, Preston R. Ballinger, 29, Hillsboro, pled guilty to two fourth-degree felony counts of grand theft and one count of fifth-degree felony theft.
According to prosecutor Anneka Collins, Ballinger stole a dump truck which was pulling a trailer that had a skid loader on it. Each of the stolen items account for the three counts for which Ballinger is charged.
Coss said that since the three items were taken by one action, the matter of whether the charges would merge for sentencing had to be known, a subject to be researched by the state.
Ballinger could face up to 48 months in prison if the charges are not merged. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Nov. 2.
In other recent proceedings, Jennifer R. Piatt, 33, New Vienna, was sentenced to community control and ordered to undergo an intensive treatment program at FRS. She previously pled guilty to fifth-degree felony aggravated possession of methamphetamine.
Malisa L. Buchanan, 39, Hillsboro, was granted judicial release from prison to the STAR program. Buchanan was sentenced in May 2015 on two separate cases to a total of 30 months in prison. Her charges included drug trafficking and illegal assembly.
Reach Angela Shepherd at 937-393-3456, ext. 1681, or on Twitter @wordyshepherd.
