Joe P. Asher

Staff Writer

A Harlan County man was sentenced to prison on Thursday in Harlan Circuit Court.

Judge James Bowling sentenced Lyndon Sweatt, 49, of Harlan, to two years on multiple charges of trafficking a controlled substance.

According to court documents, Sweatt appeared in court on June 21 with his attorney Daniel Schulman and entered guilty pleas for committing the offense of second-degree trafficking a controlled substance on five separate occasions in June and July of last year. Sweatt was sentenced to two years on each count with the sentences to run concurrently for a total of two years in prison. Sweatt was also ordered to pay restitution in an amount totalling $820.

In other court action:

* James Acelinger, 46, of Harlan, was sentenced to a total of six years in prison on charges of burglary, theft by unlawful taking, second-degree trafficking a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance in improper container and convicted felon in possession of a handgun. The burglary and theft charges stem from an incident on March 8 at the Harlan Post Office. Acelinger was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $875.

* Jennifer Gibson, 30, of Harlan, received one year in prison and a 90-day driver’s license suspension on charges of theft of identity of another without consent and operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

* Christopher Lewis, 33, of Benham, was sentenced to three years in prison on an amended charge of trafficking a controlled substance, less than 10 pills. Lewis was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $160.

* Frank Clark, 41, of Williamsburg, was sentenced on a charge of first-degree trafficking a controlled substance to 10 years in prison, probated for five years. Clark was ordered to pay court costs in the amount of $130 and restitution in the amount of $580.

* Timothy Caldwell, 38, Baxter, was granted probation in the form of pre-trial diversion for three years after entering an Alford plea on a charge of trafficking a controlled substance.

In police activity, Loyall Police Chief Michael Lunsford arrested James C. Lewis, 32, of Loyall, on charges of third degree burglary, possession of burglary tools, second-degree criminal trespassing and third-degree criminal mischief.

According to Lunsford, a complaint was received at approximately 5 p.m. that Lewis allegedly entered an empty house on Cedar Street.

Lunsford said he and Harlan City Police Sgt. Mike Boggs found Lewis inside an outbuilding behind the house pulling copper wiring from the ceiling. Additional wire was found already cut and rolled up next to the door. Lunsford also said, a backpack that Lewis was allegedly seen entering the premises with was found to contain a hack saw, hammer, screw drivers and wire cutters.

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