ST. CLAIRSVILLE Several sentences were handed down at Belmont Common Pleas Court Friday. Judge John Solovan II presided.
Stephen Lynn Nelson Jr., 38, 3844 Trumbull St., Bellaire, was sentenced to 30 months in the penitentiary on one count of endangering a child, a felony of the third degree occurring Jan. 1, 2010. Afterward, he will be subject to three years of post released controls.
During sentencing, family members testified as to Nelson's character. His defense attorney asked Solovan to consider Nelson's largely law-abiding life and his efforts at seeking help and counseling. Nelson apologized to the victim, the victim's family, and his own family. He voiced the desire that all concerned could recover and move on.
Solovan noted the significant emotional and physical harm suffered by the young child and the child's continued need for counseling. He added that Nelson's custodial role facilitated the offense, and pointed out Nelson's continued refusal to accept responsibility and his lack of remorse.
"You have not learned from your mistake because you've refused to admit you made a mistake," Solovan said, adding that judicial release may be a possibility.
Shane Allen Danehart, 21, 702 High St., Bridgeport, was sentenced after his termination from the drug court program. He will have five years of community control sanctions and serve six months in jail and six months at EOCC. He had pleaded guilty to counts of theft and forgery, felonies of the fourth degree in 2009. He was terminated from the drug court program May 18 of this year after numerous violations.
Mark Allen Lucas, 36, 830 Kibbey Apt., Marion, was sentenced on one count receiving stolen property, a felony of the fifth degree occurring Feb. 3, 2012. He was given five years of community control sanctions and will serve two months in jail and six months in EOCC. Afterward he will be subject to 12 months of intensive probation and 40 months probation.
Craig Allen Sharp, 29, 404 Park St., Barnesville, saw the revocation of his community controls. He was sentenced to 12 months in the penitentiary followed by three years of post release controls. He was originally sentenced to 30 months on counts of obstructing justice, a felony of the fifth degree, and attempted extortion, a felony of the fourth degree, occurring 2009.
Barbara Jo Barcus, 54, 67912 Hoover Avenue, Bridgeport, pleaded guilty to one count trafficking in less than one gram of crack, a felony of the fifth degree occurring Aug. 25, 2011. Sentencing was set for Aug. 3. A pre-sentence investigation was ordered, as was an EOCC evaluation and Crossroads evaluation.
John Patrick Rupert, 42, 1657 Belmont St., Bellaire maintained his plea of not guilty on one count gross sexual imposition, a felony of the third degree alleged to have occurred May 26, 2011. Trial was set for July 10.
DeFrank can be reached at rdefrank@timesleaderonline.com
