Lacy and Allen Head to Prison
Several Braxton County Circuit Court hearings have recently been completed by the Honorable Judge Michael W. Asbury, Jr. The state was represented by Braxton County Prosecuting Attorney Dwayne C. Vandevender during the proceedings.
On December 6 Carlos Alberto Galindo-Mejia and attorney David Karickhoff appeared in court for a plea hearing. The defendant entered a guilty plea to the felony offense of driving under the influence-3rd offense. The state agreed to stand silent at the sentencing hearing as part of the plea agreement. Judge Asbury accepted the plea agreement, and the sentencing hearing is set for February 12.
Lee Edgar Given came before Judge Asbury for his plea hearing with attorney Steve Nanners. A plea agreement had been reached between the defense and the state. Given entered a guilty plea to two felony charges of using a computer to solicit a minor. The state agreed to dismiss remaining charges in the indictment and recommended he be sentenced to a minimum of four to twenty in prison. The court accepted the plea agreement. Sentencing has been scheduled for February 12.
On December 1, Billy Clifford Lacy and his attorney Troy Giatras came before the court for sentencing. The defense requested an alternative sentence while the state stood silent per the plea agreement. Judge Asbury noted his lack of appreciation of the effects his actions had on the victim and his need for correctional treatment. The court sentenced Lacy to five years in prison on the felony offense of distribution and display to minor of obscene matter. He is to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life.
On November 13, Donnie Lee Allen appeared in court with his attorney David Karickhoff. The state was represented by Assistant Prosecuting Attorney William A. McCourt, Jr. during the sentencing hearing. The defendant had previously pled guilty to failure to register as a sex offender and was now requesting an alternative sentence. The state recommended Allen be sentence to one to five years as set in the plea agreement. Due to the defendant’s lengthy criminal history, Judge Asbury sentenced Allen to one to five years.
On November 1, Bridgette Jayne Bender came before Judge Asbury for a plea hearing. She was represented by David Karickhoff. In the plea agreement, the defendant pled guilty to possession of fentanyl with intent to deliver. The state agreed to dismiss other charges in the indictment and recommended a three to fifteen years sentence. The sentencing hearing was set for January 8 once the court accepted the plea agreement.
