RACHEL C. DOVE

Staff Writer

WILLIAMSON - Guilty pleas were entered and accepted in two separate cases heard before Mingo County Circuit Judge Michael Thornsbury, and a sentencing date for both has been set for May.

McKinley Workman, who was arrested on March 19 by Williamson Police Chief C.D. Rockel after being considered a fugitive from justice since 2010 when he failed to appear for a court hearing on drug related charges, pleaded guilty to Delivery of a Schedule IV Controlled Substance (Diazepam) as charged in Indictment A10-F91.

Workman faces confinement in a state correctional facility for an indefinite term of not less than 1 year, nor more than 3 years, and was also issued a fine of $1,000. He was represented by Attorney Kathryn Cisco-Sturgell.

In the case of the State of West Virginia vs. Christopher Griffin, the defendant entered a guilty plea to charges of Possession of a Schedule I Controlled Substance (Marijuana) with Intent to Deliver as charged in Indictment J12-F7. Workman is exposed to a sentence of confinement in a state correctional facility for an indefinite term of up to 5 years.

Mingo County Sheriff’s Department Sgt. J. Smith was the investigating officer and the defendant was represented by Attorney Ronald J. Rumora. Griffin was released on post-conviction bond with electronic home confinement and participation in the Judge’s Work Program.

Workman and Griffin are scheduled for sentencing on May 14.

The Mingo County Prosecuting Attorney’s office has achieved 320 felony drug convictions during C. Michael Sparks’ tenure as Prosecuting Attorney.