Rachel Dove-Baldwin

Staff Writer

WILLIAMSON - Mingo County Circuit Court Judge Michael Thornsbury has experienced a very busy week, conducting additional plea hearings for defendants who had been indicted and arrested on a variety of felony drug charges during Operation Zero Tolerance.

Nicholas Aaron Bland, Indictment J13-F17; pleaded guilty to delivery of a Schedule I controlled substance (Marijuana), a lesser included offense of distribution of Schedule I controlled substance (Marijuana) within 1,000 Feet of a School by person 18 Years of Age or Older. Bland is exposed to a sentence of confinement in a state correctional facility for an indefinite term of not less than 1 year nor more than 5 years. The defendant was represented by Attorney Diana Carter Wiedel. Mingo County Drug Task Force Commander C. D. Rockel and Mingo County Sheriff’s Dept. (MCSD) Corporal C. Endicott were the primary investigating officers.

Charles Ray Hubbard, Indictments J13-F32 and J13-F33; entered a guilty plea to charges of possession of a Schedule II controlled substance (Oxycodone) with intent to deliver as charged. Hubbard faces a possible sentence of 1-15 years. Cline was represented by Attorney Kathryn Cisco-Sturgell. Williamson Police Department (WPD) Chief C. D. Rockel was the officer that investigated the case.

Marvin Vance, Indictments J13-F51 and J13-F72; pled guilty to delivery of a Schedule II controlled substance (Oxycodone) as charged, and possession of Schedule II controlled substance (Oxycodone) with intent to deliver. Vance is exposed to an aggregate sentence of confinement in a state prison facility for an indefinite term of not less than 2 years, or more than 30 years. Attorney Charles Stanford West served as legal counsel for the defendant. MCSD Deputy E. L. Sherrill was the primary investigating officer.

Victor Randolph Webb, Indictment J13-F58; pleaded guilty to attempt (Delivery of Schedule II controlled substance; Oxycodone), a lesser included offense of the original charge of delivery of a Schedule II controlled substance (Oxycodone). The defendant faces a sentence of confinement in a state correctional facility for an indefinite term of 1-3 years. Webb was represented during the hearing by Attorney Kathryn Cisco-Sturgell. MCSD Corporal N. Mines was the primary investigating officer.

Bobby Young, Indictment J13-F61; entered a guilty plea of delivery of Schedule IV controlled substance (Diazepam) as charged. Young faces a possible prison sentence of 1-3 years. Webb is represented by Attorney Marsha Webb-Rumora. WPD Chief C. D. Rockel was officer who investigated this case.

The sentences will be imposed on April 24 at 9:30 a.m.in the Circuit Courtroom.

“Operation Zero Tolerance continues to be very productive with multiple new cases every week,” stated C. Michael Sparks, Prosecuting Attorney. “We are on the cusp of yet another very busy term of court in April 2012.”