LISBON — An East Liverpool man accused of trafficking and possessing cocaine as a major drug offender pleaded guilty as charged, but with the prosecution agreeing to dismiss the major drug offender specification.

James Keys Jr., 38, College Street, entered the guilty pleas to first-degree felonies of trafficking in cocaine and possession of cocaine, each with two specifications for forfeiture of money in a drug case.

Sentencing was set for Sept. 16 in Columbiana County Common Pleas Court. According to a felony plea agreement, the state will be recommending a prison sentence of seven to 10 1/2 years and a mandatory fine of $10,000 for each count, along with the forfeiture of money he possessed at the time of the drug incident. Keys was accused of trying to sell and possessing an amount of cocaine exceeding 100 grams and possessing money in amount of $7,065 and $250. The major drug offender specification noted the amount of cocaine was 200.65 grams.

Also in Common Pleas Court:

— Bristen Lavant, 28, Smithfield Street, East Liverpool, was sentenced to 18 months in prison for third degree felonies of tampering with evidence and possession of fentanyl-related compound and misdemeanor resisting arrest, with credit for 63 days already served. This prison term was ordered to be served consecutive to a 12-month prison term Lavant’s already been serving since April for two drug charges in Stark County. A mandatory $5,000 fine was also ordered. Lavant tried to hide a clear bag of white powder down his pants and then threw it to the ground, pulling away from officers and trying to flee on foot on March 5, 2023 in East Liverpool. He also possessed fentanyl in an amount equal or greater than 50 unit doses, but less than 100 unit doses.

— A review hearing was set July 29 for Joshua Welsh, 24, East Fourth Street, Salem, who was not restored to competency to stand trial. A court entry said there was not a substantial probability that he will become competent to stand trial. The state was given leave to initiate a case for commitment. Welsh was charged with three counts of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor, a fourth-degree felony for allegedly having sexual conduct from Jan. 1, 2019 to Dec. 21, 2021 with a child starting when the child was 13 years old.

— Shannon Johnson, 43, McDonald Street, East Liverpool, was granted an additional 131 days of jail credit after filing a motion for more credit after her recent sentencing in April for illegal conveyance of drug of abuse onto the grounds of a specified governmental facility, a third-degree felony, and possession of cocaine, a fifth-degree felony, for possessing cocaine and taking a drug onto the grounds of a detention facility on Dec. 29, 2019. Johnson was sentenced to 12 months in prison and initially received credit for 16 days served. The judge agreed to count the time that she spent at Heartland Behavioral Health for an evaluation towards her jail credit.

— Angel Potts, 31, Avondale Street, East Liverpool, was sentenced to nine months in prison after pleading guilty to possession of heroin and possession of fentanyl-related compound, both fifth-degree felonies, with credit for 48 days served in jail. Potts possessed heroin and fentanyl on Oct. 25, 2022.

— Nickolas Good, 34, Prospect Street, Salem, was sentenced to 12 months in prison for violating his probation, which was dishonorably terminated. He received credit for 207 days served in jail. Good possessed methamphetamine on Oct. 28, 2021.

— Zachary Markovich, 30, Youngstown, was sentenced to seven months in prison for possession of fentanyl-related compound, a fifth-degree felony, with credit for one day served in jail. The prison term was ordered served consecutive to a prison term he’s serving now from another county. He possessed fentanyl on May 20, 2022.

— Joseph Kelly, 40, Lincoln Avenue, East Liverpool, was placed under community control for three years and ordered to serve a term at the Eastern Ohio Correction Center, normally up to six months, for possession of cocaine and aggravated possession of drugs, both fifth-degree felonies. He was also given a mandatory $5,000 fine and ordered to forfeit $2,945. Two counts of possession of drugs were dismissed. Kelly possessed cocaine in an amount equal or greater than 10 grams, but less than 20 grams, and possessed oxycodone and $2,945 on Jan. 7, 2022.