A Bainbridge man was sent to prison Wednesday on drug charges in Highland County Common Pleas Court, and three others were sentenced to three-year terms of community control sanctions.
Mark Vangundy, 47, was sentenced to a year and a half in prison after pleading guilty to possession of heroin and aggravated possession of methamphetamine, both fifth-degree felonies.
According to a bill of particulars, Vangundy was riding in a van driven by his brother, Jordy Vangundy, in early March in Greenfield, when a law enforcement officer pulled the van over for not having a license plate light. The officer told Jordy Vangundy he would issue him a warning for the violation, and when he approached the vehicle with the warning, he noticed a capsule of brown substance on Mark Vangundy’s lap, which Mark Vangundy admitted was heroin and belonged to him, according to the bill.
The officer placed Mark Vangundy under arrest, and, while searching him, found four more capsules of heroin in his pocket, as well as a bag of methamphetamine, according to the bill.
Court records show Mark Vangundy has a record in Highland County dating back as early as 1991.
Highland County Prosecuting Attorney Anneka Collins argued Vangundy was not cooperative during legal proceedings, and noted that he failed to appear for court dates.
“He has basically snubbed his nose at the court’s orders,” Collins said.
Vangundy asked Judge Rocky Coss to send him to a drug treatment program, saying that he tried his best to make it to court dates but was unable to find a ride.
“I need help,” Vangundy said. “I’ve been to prison… and it’s not helping.”
Coss said he didn’t believe Vangundy sincerely wanted help, but instead only hoped to stay out of prison.
“You can’t be depended upon to show up in court, yet you want help,” Coss said. “It’s clear to me you don’t want help for your drug issue – you just don’t want to go to prison.”
In other hearings, Brian Christman, 29, Peebles, was sentenced to three years of community control sanctions after pleading guilty to arson, a fourth-degree felony.
According to court documents, Christman admitted he set fire to his sister’s car in November of last year. He was ordered Wednesday to pay $2,700 in restitution.
“What I done is very stupid,” he said. “It’s not going to happen again.”
Chat Heflin, 48, Hillsboro, was sentenced to three years of community control sanctions after pleading guilty to possession of marijuana and possession of criminal tools, both fifth-degree felonies.
Jesse Howland, 40, Hillsboro, was sentenced to three years of community control sanctions after pleading guilty to possession of marijuana, and aggravated possession of methamphetamines, both fifth-degree felonies.
Reach David Wright at 937-402-2570, or on Twitter @DavidWrighter.
