×

Man gets nine months for evidence tampering

LISBON — A Toronto man who swallowed drugs to keep them out of the hands of authorities was sentenced in Common Pleas Court Friday to nine months in prison for tampering with evidence.

Ronald Allen Mayhew Jr., 34, previously of New Cumberland, W.Va., told Judge Megan Bickerton he is a recovering addict who has been clean about 140 days. Additionally, Mayhew said he has a wonderful fiance and a new baby. He and his defense attorney Christopher Weeda were seeking a chance for Mayhew to go to the Eastern Ohio Correction Center for treatment, stating he wants to continue leading a sober life.

While Bickerton pointed out Mayhew went to prison 15 years ago, Mayhew said he has never gotten help and the only time he did attend a program for a few days he did not take it seriously.

Assistant County Prosecutor Ryan Weikart noted there are other pending warrants for Mayhew, including a new indictment in West Virginia. Bickerton said she was trying to determine from the dates whether the new charge occurred while this charge was pending or prior to it. Additionally, his record showed there was a Mahoning County charge from Aug. 14 this year, just prior to Mayhew pleading guilty to this tampering with evidence charge in September.

In the case in Columbiana County, Mayhew was stopped while driving on state Route 7 and a K-9 indicated there were drugs in the vehicle. State troopers found a metal pipe containing burnt residue, but no drugs. Then the dash cam of the cruiser showed Mayhew had consumed the cocaine

In weighing the various pros and cons for sentencing Mayhew, Bickerton pointed out Mayhew’s “recidivism factor is off the charts.”

She sentenced him to nine months in prison with credit for 41 days served.

djohnson@mojonews.com

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

COMMENTS

[vivafbcomment]

Starting at $4.39/week.

Subscribe Today