MOUNT VERNON — Common Pleas Judge Otho Eyster ruled on eight cases on Friday.
Bryan K. Hawk, 41, address unknown, was sentenced to eight years in prison for robbing a Mount Vernon Dairy-Mart in 2000. Following a two-day jury trial in November, Hawk was found guilty of one count of aggravated robbery, a first-degree felony.
According to testimony during the trial, Hawk stole $70 in cash and $20 in groceries from the convenience store. Asked if he had anything to say before sentencing, Hawk said, “I do maintain my innocence in this case. I do wish to say I have four children who are waiting for me to get home. I’m at the mercy of the court.”
Eyster said this was Hawk’s fifth trip to prison. Hawk has multiple previous convictions for possession of drugs. Hawk was given credit for 218 days served.
Jacob R. McQueen, 22, Mount Vernon, was sentenced to 11 months for possession of cocaine and 11 months for theft by deception. Both fifth-degree felony sentences are to run concurrently. According to court records, McQueen and an accomplice used a stolen check to purchase a $600 television set. The two then sold the television in Columbus to purchase drugs. McQueen’s cocaine possession charge was the result of an unrelated routine traffic stop in May 2007. McQueen was taken from court to jail.
Michael E. Hinkins II, 29, Mount Vernon, pleaded guilty in December to one count of trafficking in cocaine, a fifth-degree felony. Following a presentence investigation, Eyster sentenced Hinkins on Friday to three years of community control, 30 days in jail, and six months driver’s license suspension. He was further ordered to pay $50 in restitution to the MVPD for money used in the drug buy. Eyster warned Hinkins that any violation of his probation could land him 11 months in prison.
Wendel W. Taylor, 28, Mount Vernon, was also sentenced to three years of community control for one count of trafficking in marijuana, a fifth-degree felony, and one count of trafficking in cocaine, a fourth-degree felony. Eyster ordered Taylor to undergo a drug and alcohol assessment and comply with a six-month driver’s license suspension. Any violation of his probation could land him 15 months in prison on the cocaine charge and 11 months in prison on the marijuana charge. The sentences are to run concurrently.
Christopher Lee Watkins, 22, Mount Vernon, was placed on three years community control for his role in an August break-in on McKenzie Road. Watkins and an accomplice broke into a workshop and stole an ATV. Watkins pleaded guilty in December to breaking and entering, and grand theft of a motor vehicle. Eyster ordered Watkins to pay over $400 in restitution to the victims. Any violation of his probation could land him up to 15 months in prison.
Miranda L. Smail, 22, Mount Vernon, failed to appear in court on charges that she violated the terms of her probation. Smail was sentenced to community control in 2006 on multiple counts of grand theft and forgery. Eyster ordered a nationwide warrant for her arrest. When captured, she is to be held on $25,000 bond with no 10 percent provision.
In other court news, Aaron J. Kosier, 22, pleaded not guilty to one count of receiving stolen property. Matthew F. Lord, 22, pleaded not guilty to one count of theft. Gerald A. Crump, 27, pleaded not guilty to one count of receiving stolen property. Glen Stackhouse, 27, pleaded not guilty to one count of forgery and one count of theft by deception.
