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LISBON -- A Wellsville man pleaded guilty to multiple drug charges from two separate indictments during a recent appearance in Columbiana County Common Pleas Court.
Dustin Hambleton, 38, Y & O Road, will face sentencing April 25 in both cases.
The charges in one plea included misdemeanor drug paraphernalia and a third-degree felony tampering with evidence charge for throwing a pipe on the floor of a pizza business after jumping out of his vehicle during a traffic stop on Sept. 22, 2022 in St. Clair Township.
The charges for the other plea included: aggravated possession of drugs, a second-degree felony; possession of cocaine, a fourth-degree felony; aggravated possession of drugs and possession of drugs, both fifth-degree felonies; and having weapons while under disability, a third-degree felony.
Charges of aggravated trafficking in drugs and trafficking in cocaine will be dismissed.
According to the indictment, the charges all stemmed from Jan. 2, 2022 when Hambleton possessed methamphetamine equal or exceeding five times the bulk amount but less than 50 times the bulk amount, possessed cocaine equal or exceeding 5 grams but less than 10 grams, possessed amphetamine and buprenorphine and had a gun despite being prohibited from having one due to a previous drug conviction.
Also in Common Pleas Court:
-- Krista Faulkner, 46, Minerva Street, East Liverpool, pleaded guilty to illegal conveyance of drugs of abuse onto the grounds of a specialized government facility, a third-degree felony, a fifth-degree felony aggravated possession of drugs and a misdemeanor possession of drugs charge, with sentencing set for June 23. Faulkner was accused of trying to take drugs into a facility and possessed methamphetamine and butalbital on Aug. 23, 2021.
-- Melissa Johnson, 30, Robertsville, pleaded guilty to aggravated possession of drugs, a fifth-degree felony, and operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs, a fourth-degree felony, with sentencing set for June 12. Charges of OVI and driving under suspension will be dismissed. Johnson possessed methamphetamine during a traffic stop Feb. 19, 2021 which resulted in an OVI.