Joe P. Asher

Staff Writer

A Knott County man’s diversion was revoked on Thursday in Harlan Circuit Court.

Jamie Johnson, 36, of Mousie, was in court for a hearing to decide if he had violated the terms of his diversion probation. Jamie Johnson had previously plead guilty to first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance for which he was placed on diversion for a period of five years.

Jamie Johnson testified that he had been unable to attend required meetings with his parole officer due to problems with his health and lack of reliable transportation. He also stated he had left his probation officer voice mail messages explaining that he had alternator problems with his car.

Commonwealth’s Attorney Henry Johnson questioned Jamie Johnson about his transportation problems, pointing out that he had made trips to his doctor in Nashville on more than one occasion during the time he did not report to his probation officer.

After hearing the testimony, Judge James Bowling rendered the decision to revoke Jamie Johnson’s diversion.

“The bottom line is you haven’t lived up to your diversion agreement,” said Bowling. “You’re revoked.”

Jamie Johnson is set to be sentenced on Aug. 16.

In other court action:

* Joseph Brock, 24, of Wallins, received a state recommended sentence of one year in prison on a charge of cultivating marijuana five plants or more;

* Philip Barnhill, 36, of Loyall, was sentenced to five years in prison on charges of trafficking a controlled substance;

* Roger Kelly, 51, of Loyall, was sentenced to five years in prison, recommended by the state, on charges of trafficking a controlled substance. Kelly was also ordered to pay court costs and restitution;

* Candace Fee, 29, of Gulston, received a sentence of five years, probated, with the condition she spend 60 days in the Harlan County Detention Center;

* Keith Ellis, 25, of Cumberland, was granted three years diversion, unsupervised, after pleading guilty to a charge of trafficking a controlled substance. Ellis must also pay court costs in the amount of $130.50 and restitution in the amount of $121.

In police action:

* Edward Jones Jr., 42, of Four Mile, was arrested on Wednesday by Harlan County Sheriff’s Deputy Charles Bailey on a charge of trafficking a controlled substance;

* Wendell Jones, 32, of Keith, was arrested by Capt. Frank Doan of the Harlan County Sheriff’s Department on Thursday at 11 a.m. on charges of wanton endangerment and terroristic threatening.

Reach Joe P. Asher at 606-573-4510 or jasher@heartlandpublications.com