Blevins sentenced for selling crack
Selling crack cocaine to a minor will cost a local drug trafficker 18 years in the penitentiary.
The defendant, Ronald Blevins Sr., entered guilty pleas Wednesday before Circuit Court Judge Bart Stanley on charges of sale of cocaine to a minor and possession of drugs. He was handed 15 years on the sale of drugs to a minor count, and three years on the possession count with the sentences to run consecutively.
Blevins was arrested in the summer of 2001 following an undercover drug-buying operation. During the operation, a 17-year-old operative was employed to purchase drugs. The buys were monitored and recorded by officers who were listening to the transactions nearby.
According to prosecutors, use of underage operatives is somewhat unusual and requires advanced clearance by the operative’s parents and the court. However, given the information that Blevins was selling to anyone, including children, lawmen decided to use an underage operative, thereby greatly enhancing the punishment.
In other unrelated circuit court action Wednesday:
• Christopher Lee Simmons was directed to serve 180 days of a seven-year sentence and make restitution on charges of burglary and theft.
• Emil Baston was instructed to serve 100 days of a six-year sentence and make restitution on charges of forgery and theft.
• April Sanders was directed to serve 150 days of a four-year sentence and pay $2,250 plus court costs for manufacture of drugs and simple possession of marijuana.
• Patrick Thomas was instructed to serve 90 days of an 11-month, 29-day sentence and perform 100 hours public service work for simple assault.
• Trina Campbell must serve the balance of her sentence for violation of probation.