Amber Kay Green

ST. CLAIRSVILLE — Monday’s court cases saw two women each sentenced to three years in prison for separate drug trafficking cases.

Belmont County Common Pleas Judge John Vavra sentenced Amber Kay Green, 29, of 288 Incline Avenue, Wheeling, on two counts of aggravated possession of drugs, felonies of the third and fifth degree. These crimes occurred in December of 2018 and February of this year. Vavra imposed sentences of one year and three years, to be served concurrently for a total of three years in prison.

“The pre-sentence investigation report in this case is very disturbing in terms of what you were engaged in and who you were engaged in that conduct with, the drugs being brought into this county,” Vavra said. “I’m concerned that you don’t appreciate the seriousness of your conduct.”

Vavra reviewed her prior misdemeanor convictions for possession of drugs, operating a vehicle under the influence, brandishing a weapon, assault, theft and producing a false identification, as well as a pattern of alcohol and drug abuse.

“This criminal activity occurred on two different dates,” Vavra said, adding that the third degree felony charge occurred while the fifth-degree case was pending in the county court. “This court believes your conduct is spiraling out of control.”

Afterward, Vavra noted Green was arrested Dec. 5 in Bellaire during a vehicle stop, then in Feb. 27 during a suspected drug transaction at the Pilot Traveling Center at Exit 208 in Morristown.

“She was driving. There were warrants for her arrest already,” Vavra said. “The deputies placed her under arrest. Several other people were charged.”

According to the Belmont County Prosecutor’s office, three men were also arrested. One is likely to plead to a misdemeanor in the county court level, another will likely be indicted, and the third, Chad Markle, 31, of Wheeling, is in federal custody on other charges. He faces second degree felony drug trafficking charges in Belmont County.

Sheriff’s deputies seized more than 140 grams of suspected crystal methamphetamine in one of the largest bulk seizure in the county to date according to Belmont County Sheriff David Lucas.

Belmont County Common Pleas Judge Frank Fregiato passed sentence on Jennifer Nicole Burress, 32, of 2145 County Road 2, Yorkville, was sentenced to the maximum sentence of three years in prison for trafficking in drugs, a felony of the third degree occurring Oct. 16, 2018. According to the Belmont County Prosecutor’s Office, she sold drugs from a business where she worked, in the vicinity of Bridgeport School District.

Assistant Public Defender Thomas Ryncarz asked Fregiato to consider Burress’ limited prior criminal record. Fregiato pointed out that Burress had served time in prison on a prior felony conviction. Ryncarz asked that community control sanctions or less than the maximum sentence be considered.

“I just want to apologize for wasting everyone’s time. I do accept responsibility for the wrongdoing that I did,” Burress said.

“Her alleged crimes started in Baltimore, Maryland in 2005,” Fregiato said, noting dismissed or nullified charges of theft and drug-related charges, a conviction of transfer of stolen property in West Virginia, and a conviction out of federal court in Wheeling for possession of heroin with intent to deliver, and a subsequent prison sentence. “Then you’ve got the trafficking charges we have today.”

Also, Tyler R. Snyder, 33, of 313 Lake St., Bethesda, admitted to violating his community controls. His sentence was set for June 17. He was convicted of robbery, a felony of the second degree occurring Dec. 13, 2013.

Cassandra Marie Thomas, 22, of 611 Highland Avenue, Tiltonsville, admitted to violating her community controls. Her sentence was set for June 17. She was originally convicted of possession of drugs a felony of the fifth degree occurring Oct. 16, 2015.

Cody West Williams, 31, incarcerated, last known address 71868 Gas Station-Shippy Road, St. Clairsville, saw the balance of his eight-year sentence imposed for violating his probation. He was given credit for close to six years served in incarceration. He was originally convicted of aggravated burglary with a firearms specification, a felony of the third degree, burglar, a felony of the second degree, theft, a felony of the third degree, and receiving stolen property,a felony of the fourth degree, occurring in 2013. He began his sentence in 2014 and was granted judicial release in January, 2019, but failed the Eastern Ohio Correction Center program.

Sherri Kay Wukeson, 49, of 44490 Lafferty Road, St. Clairsville, was sentenced for tampering with evidence, a felony of the third degree, and possession of drugs, a felony of the fifth degree, occurring March 28, 2018. Fregiato imposed sentences of one and a half years and one year, to be served concurrently for a total of one and a half years in prison.

Wukeson apologized for failing drug tests in drug court.

“I really screwed up by not doing well in drug court,” she said. “It helped me. I’ve been a drug addict for a long time and the most clean time I’ve had was during drug court.”

Vavra saw the case of Tiffany Lynn Markle, 32, of 36 Fernwood Avenue, Wheeling, who pleaded guilty to two counts of possession of drugs a felony of the fifth degree occurring Dec. 14, 2018. She was sentenced to six months in the Belmont County Jail.