Staff Writer

A Union man received a five-year prison sentence Wednesday on drug charges.

Jamie Price, 27, of 206 Pine St., pleaded guilty before Circuit Judge John C. Hayes III of Rock Hill to possession with intent to distribute marijuana, possession of a controlled substance, second or more offense; and possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, third or more offense.

A report said Lt. John Sherfield and Lt. David Kitchens provided $20 to an operative who went to a home on Bird Street, where Price then was living, and purchased marijuana from his roommate.

The next day, deputies provided money to an operative who went back to the residence and bought music CDs and two DVDs that were counterfeit.

On Jan. 25, these officers, State Constable Billy Bennett and Deputy Roger Hill went back to the Bird Street residence with a search warrant. They seized digital scales, counterfeit compact discs, counterfeit DVDs, and other items.

While officers were in the area, they spotted Price driving a Pontiac Bonneville and knew he had no license. They stopped his car. Hill saw Price putting something in his pocket. Officers found a bag in Price's pants that contained four Lortabs. Price was arrested.

Officers searched Price's car and found in the trunk four bags of marijuana, a bottle of Methadone, 127 Lortabs in a bag with $66, a pill bottle containing 5 1/2 Lortabs and $1,000 in cash. Near the driver's seat, officers found $955 in cash.

Also on Wednesday, David Turner, 26, of 215 Belvue Drive, Union, was given a three-year prison sentence.

Turner pleaded guilty to second-degree burglary, petit larceny, possession of crack cocaine and possession of stolen property.

Turner's drug charge was made on Nov. 28, 2007 by the Union County Sheriff's Office. According to a report, Lt. David Kitchens and Lt. John Sherfield with the sheriff's office, State Constable Billy Bennett and Investigator Mickey Parker with the Union Public Safety Department provided money to a confidential informant who went to Turner's house with the intention of purchasing drugs. Turner got into the vehicle with the informant and they drove to the parking lot of Disney Distribution in Jonesville, where a call was made to Braxton Sentell Jones, 21, of 102 Locust Court, Spartanburg. A short time later Jones arrived. He was a passenger in a 1992 Lexus driven by Dondrell Tavorie Cheeks, 18, of 5 Culp St., Spartanburg . Officers had the deal under surveillance and sheriff's office units were positioned on the Furman Fendley Highway.

The report said Jones sold Turner $100 worth of crack, with Turner unknowingly using sheriff's office funds. Jones then returned to the Lexus and Turner got back into the informant's car. The informant and Turner left the parking lot and went south on Furman Fendley Highway.

Jones and Cheeks also were arrested. Their cases have not yet come to court.

Turner was arrested on the theft charges on Aug. 22.

Guilty pleas heard

The following people pleaded guilty Wednesday in General Sessions Court:

Joshua Carlos, 1300 South Pinckney St., to distribution of marijuana, three years suspended to three years probation.

Selissa Crawford, 119 Skyview Drive, Lockhart, to driving under the influence, second offense, one year and $5,100 suspended to five days and $2,100 and three years probation, required to install interlocking device; to malicious damage to real property, six months suspended to six months probation; to unlawful possession of a controlled substance, six months suspended to six months probation.

Erica Kitchens, 116 Harvey Lane, Union, to possession of a controlled substance, six months or $200 and two months to pay; to petit larceny, 30 days suspended.

Timothy McFalls, 249 Fairview Circle, Union, to distribution of ice and third-degree burglary, youthful offender's division sentence not to exceed five years; to petit larceny, 30 days suspended.

Kenneth Porter, 340 Mt. Joy Church Road, Jonesville, to assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature, five years suspended to five years probation, consecutive to current sentence in the S.C. Department of Corrections, $895 restitution and $500 to the public defender fund.

Daniel Roberts, 107 Academy St., Jonesville, to assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature, 10 years suspended to five years probation, 30 days public service, $500 to the public defender fund and child abuse registry.