A local man was formally sentenced to 30 years imprisonment last Monday, May 16 by Clinton Circuit Judge Eddie C. Lovelace. The sentence came following a Clinton Circuit Court jury trial conviction last month.

Judge Lovelace followed the jury recommendation in the case against Matthew Shelton, who was found guilty of drug related offenses and being a persistent felony offender.

On April 14, a local jury trial was held and in phase one of the trial, the jury determined that the defendant was guilty of cultivation of marijuana, five or more plants, first offense and manufacturing methamphetamine, first offense. In phase two, the jury found the defendant guilty of being a second-degree persistent felony offender.

In the third phase, the jury recommended a sentence on the marijuana cultivation charge of one year, enhanced to six years for being a persistent felony offender. Further, they recommended a 10-year sentence on the manufacturing of meth and enhanced it to 24 years for being a persistent felony offender and recommended the six and 24-year sentences run consecutive for 30 years.

The court pronounced formal sentence and the appropriate amount of jail time already served will be determined.

A co-defendant in Shelton’s trial, who was tried at the same time, but both in separate cases with different attorneys, Indika Sears, was also formally sentenced following the local jury’s conviction on drug related charges.

The jury found the defendant guilty of cultivation of marijuana, five or more plants, first offense and recommended a one-year sentence and a 10-year sentence on the charge of manufacturing methamphetamine, first offense. Those sentences were recommended to run concurrent for a total of 10 years.

The court pronounced sentence and credited the defendant with 192 days time served.

Several other cases were heard during the May term of Clinton Circuit Court last Monday. The following are cases in which some type of resolutions were reached:

* During a motion to enter a plea, a plea agreement was reached in the case of Commonwealth vs. Martin R. McAdams.

The Commonwealth recommended that upon a plea of guilty to manufacturing methamphetamine, the defendant would receive a 10-year sentence and on a plea of guilty to trafficking in a controlled substance, first degree, he would receive a five-year sentence, to run consecutive for 15 years. The following charges would be dismissed: possession of a meth precursor; possession of a controlled substance, first degree (meth); possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of marijuana.

Final sentencing is scheduled for June 20.

* Final sentencing was held in the case of Commonwealth vs. Rodney Lee Duvall, pursuant to a plea agreement effectuated on April 8.

Under terms of the plea, the defendant pled guilty to criminal mischief, first degree with a four-year sentence imposed. Under terms of the plea, the sentence will be probated for four years with supervision and the defendant is to pay restitution in the amount of $2,220.53.

A charge of criminal trespassing, third degree was dismissed and the defendant was credited with three days time served.

* A plea agreement was reached in the case of Commonwealth vs. Michael R. Woodyard.

Upon a plea of guilty to theft by deception, the defendant would receive a three-year sentence, probated for three years with supervision and pay restitution in the amount of $850.00.

Final sentencing is scheduled for July 5.

* A trial date of August 2 was scheduled in the case of Commonwealth vs. Brian Comstock, charged with theft by taking or disposition, criminal mischief, third degree, operating a motor vehicle while DUI, driving on suspended license and persistent felony offender, second degree.

The Commonwealth will have until June 15 to determine which case to try on the above date.

* A trial date of September 22 was scheduled in the case of Commonwealth vs. Matthew Martin Hall, charged with sexual abuse, first degree, victim under 12 years of age and a pretrial conference date of September 6 was scheduled.

Several other cases also came before the court last week, including several defendants who appeared for arraignment. Those defendants entered not guilty pleas and had future court dates scheduled. Other cases were continued for various reasons.