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LISBON -- A Rogers man already sentenced to four to six years in prison for a drug charge can now add another 14 years to the total for multiple child pornography counts.
John W. Chaffin Jr., 35, state Route 154, appeared for sentencing Wednesday morning before Columbiana County Common Pleas Court Judge Scott Washam, who followed the prosecutor's recommendation for consecutive terms.
Chaffin received indefinite sentences of two to three years in prison for each of the six second-degree felony counts of pandering obscenity involving a minor or impaired person, then six months for each of the four fourth-degree felony counts of pandering obscenity involving a minor or impaired person.
Washam ordered the terms served consecutively, bringing the grand total to 14 years, not counting the possible one year the prison officials could add on as part of the indefinite sentence, dependent on Chaffin's behavior in prison.
Washam also ordered the prison terms to be served consecutively to the four to six-year prison term he already received for aggravated possession of drugs, a second-degree felony, with a specification for forfeiture of money in a drug case.
Five counts of the fourth-degree felony pandering charge from the indictment will be dismissed.
Chaffin possessed pornographic images involving minors during an incident Dec. 14, 2023 and police found more images during execution of a search warrant at his residence on Feb. 29, 2024.
County Assistant Prosecutor Tammie Riley Jones said the case came out of an internet tip regarding the uploading of child pornographic images. The defendant was contacted by law enforcement and his devices were searched, with additional images of child pornography discovered. She cited the seriousness of the charges and his criminal record as reasons for consecutive sentences.
Chaffin's defense attorney, Chris Amato, asked for minimum time for the charges and wanted the terms concurrent or served at the same time.
"He understands what he did was wrong," Amato said, adding "14 years is an awful long time.
Chaffin didn't have much to say when given the chance, telling the judge he messed up.
Washam told him "your conduct is more serious than messing up."
mgreier@mojonews.com