×

Court News

LISBON — A Youngstown man accused of multiple drug counts in two separate indictments entered guilty pleas recently in Columbiana County Common Pleas Court, with sentencing set for April 26.

Damien K’wami Clark, 25, pleaded guilty to third-degree felonies of tampering with evidence, possession of heroin, possession of fentanyl-related compound and fourth-degree felony possession of cocaine in one case and first-degree felony possession of fentanyl-related compound, second-degree felony aggravated possession of drugs and fourth-degree felony possession of heroin in the other case. Both cases also involved specifications for forfeiture of money in a drug case.

In the first case, Clark possessed $180 and heroin, fentanyl and cocaine on May 10, 2023. Three trafficking counts for preparing those drugs for sale were dismissed.

In the second case, Clark possessed fentanyl-related compound in an amount equal or greater than 20 grams, but less than 50 grams, methamphetamine in an amount equal or greater than five times the bulk amount, but less than 50 times the bulk amount and heroin in an amount from 1 to 5 grams on July 8, 2022. He also possessed $429.

Also in Common Pleas Court:

— Eric Rogel, 33, Alliance, was sentenced to concurrent terms of 180 days in jail, with 120 days suspended, leaving a balance of 60 days to serve in the county jail, for misdemeanors of operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs and weapons while intoxicated, a lesser offense of the original fourth-degree felony charge of improper handling of a firearm in a motor vehicle. He was also fined $500 for the weapons charge and $850 for the OVI. His driver’s license was suspended for five years and a separate entry will be prepared for forfeiture of the vehicle. Another charge of OVI was dismissed. Rogel was accused of having a rifle with the bolt closed and a loaded magazine inside the weapon during a traffic stop when he was showing signs of impairment on Dec. 3, 2022 in West Township.

— Gary Ridgley, 44, Bell Road, Lisbon, pleaded guilty to aggravated possession of drugs, a fifth-degree felony, and was placed on probation for three years, along with receiving a suspended 39-day jail term, for possessing methamphetamine on Aug. 3, 2020.

Starting at $2.99/week.

Subscribe Today