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Harris gets 3 years for attempted drug illegal manufacturing
By Bob Robinson
 
GREENVILLE – On July 30 Robert Harris pleaded guilty to attempted illegal manufacture of drugs (methamphetamine) in the vicinity of a juvenile, a second degree felony. On Aug. 19 he was sentenced to three years in prison, placed in handcuffs and remanded to the custody of the Darke County Sheriff’s Office.
 
Darke County Prosecutor R. Kelly Ormsby told Darke County Common Pleas Judge Jonathan Hein the state is recommending four years.
 
“There were two juveniles in the house,” Ormsby said. “If it hadn’t been for that, the officers would have waited until the manufacturing had already started,” noting the charge would have been different. “Harris was stopped before the manufacturing started due to a concern for the safety of the children.”
 
Hein had noted this was Harris’ first felony. Ormsby acknowledged it, but added the right message must be sent… “this will not be tolerated.”
 
Harris’ attorney Paul Wagner, referring to the circumstances of the arrest, asked the court not to give too much credence to things speculative in nature. While prison is not mandatory, “We agreed to recommend two years. We hope that sometime down the road my client can enter a treatment program.”
 
Ormsby allowed judicial release from prison may be requested but the state would oppose anything less than two years.
 
Hein listed off the defendant’s use of drugs, including marijuana, cocaine, methamphetamines and heroin, adding Harris was a high risk for recidivism in most categories.
 
 “When you committed this act, did you think about what would happen if you got caught?” Hein asked Harris.
 
“No sir.”
 
“Do you think getting help is a good idea?”
 
“Yes sir.”
 
“But you didn’t think about it at the time.”
 
“No sir.”
 
Hein asked Harris what he planned to do with the drug if he had been successful… sell it?
 
“No, sir. I would smoke it.” Harris then added two others were involved in this with him. “The deal was we would split it three ways.”
 
Hein said he was ordering three years in prison to give Harris time to think about what he will do when he got out.
 
“Are you going to sit there like a toad or get out of your cell and go to GED classes. If you go there and work hard they will want you to get out sooner. I’ll know that. If you sit in your cell and do nothing, I’ll know that. If you stay out of trouble, I’ll know that.
 
“I’ll know that when you ask for early release.”
 
Hein then imposed three years, a $7,500 mandatory fine and three years mandatory supervision. He also said Harris would be responsible for court costs which he would be able to work off.
 
Harris’ co-defendant, Jennifer Murphy, pleaded guilty on July 26 to attempted illegal assembly or possession of chemicals for the manufacture of drugs (methamphetamine), a third degree felony. She will be sentenced in September.
 
Published courtesy of The Early Bird




 
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