Prison in trafficking case

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A Leesburg woman who was among four others charged in a drug trafficking case, which also included her son, has been sentenced to prison.

Kathy Ross, 44, was ordered Wednesday in Highland County Common Pleas Court to spend 10 months behind bars for fifth-degree felony heroin possession, a charge she pled guilty to in June.

According to prosecutor Anneka Collins, who requested prison, Ross has one prior felony conviction.

Judge Rocky Coss noted prior misdemeanor convictions as well, but said her record was not “an overwhelming concern.”

What was of concern, the judge said, was the nature of the case which involved drug trafficking.

In March, Kathy Ross was indicted on drug charges along with her son Kyle Ross. Nicky L. Kerwood, Jammie Hudson and Timothy Anteck were also a part of that indictment.

In June, Kyle Ross pled guilty to first-degree felony engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity and was sentenced to nine years in prison. Sixteen other charges against him — all drug possession and trafficking charges involving heroin, methamphetamine and cocaine — were dismissed.

All others involved have pled guilty to third-degree felony heroin possession charges, and have been sentenced to prison.

“This was not a person with a drug problem,” Coss said Wednesday, “this was an enterprise.”

The judge indicated that the nature of the case, coupled with Kathy Ross’ prior record, made community control “not appropriate.”

A request for a brief stay by Kathy Ross’ attorney, Adam Bleile, so that Ross could attend scheduled medical appointments was denied.

In other hearings, two defendants who have each been in prison for half a decade were granted judicial release.

William B. Wisecup II, 45, Greenfield, will be released to the STAR program in October. He will be on community control for five years.

Wisecup was sentenced to a total of nine years in prison in 2010 after pleading guilty to second-degree felony felonious assault and third-degree felony vandalism.

According to the plea agreement, the state indicated it would not oppose judicial release after five years.

Merion Lee Smith, 49, was also granted judicial release after nearly five years in prison.

She began serving time in prison in August 2010 on charges out of Hamilton County, and in 2011 in Highland County was sentenced to an additional four years for third-degree felony burglary.

In other proceedings, James Dakota Levi Boyd, 22, Greenfield, pled guilty to fifth-degree felony heroin possession. As he has no prior felonies, according to the court, he was placed on community control. In addition to the probation, Boyd must also successfully complete treatment.

Amanda Leigh Cassner, 31, Hillsboro, pled guilty to fifth-degree felony pandering obscenity and was admitted into the prosecutor’s diversion program.

While Cassner is in the program, all action on the case will cease. If she successfully completes the diversion program, the felony charge against her will be dismissed.

Brandy R. Randolph, 37, Sardinia, pled guilty in two separate cases to fourth-degree felony receiving stolen property and fifth-degree felony aggravated possession of drugs.

She is set for sentencing in September. According to Coss, the plea agreement says that the state will recommend community control and treatment.

Carolina Macey Mootispaw, 25, Washington C.H., pled guilty to fifth-degree felony breaking and entering. The plea agreement says the state will recommend seven months in prison and the payment of $625 in restitution. She will be sentenced next month.

Alex Dylan Hammond, 19, Hillsboro, admitted to violating the terms of his intervention in lieu of conviction by associating with people he was not permitted to associate with, and by consuming alcohol.

He was initially granted intervention in lieu of conviction in November after pleading guilty to three counts of fifth-degree felony trafficking in marijuana. He will be sentenced on those charges in September.

Reach Angela Shepherd at 937-393-3456, ext. 1681, or on Twitter @wordyshepherd.

Kathy Ross is pictured with her attorney, Adam Bleile, during a hearing in Highland County Common Pleas Court on Wednesday.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/33/2015/08/web1_KathyRoss.jpgKathy Ross is pictured with her attorney, Adam Bleile, during a hearing in Highland County Common Pleas Court on Wednesday.
Mother’s son got nine-year sentence in same case

By Angela Shepherd

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