WILLIAMSON – Two Mingo County men avoided trials and entered pleas of guilty Tuesday to drug charges contained in their January Grand Jury indictments.

Kenneth Raymond Brewer, 80, of Kermit, pleaded guilty to delivery of a Schedule IV controlled substance (Alprazolam) as charged in Count I of his indictment.

Brewer is exposed to confinement in a state correctional facility for an indefinite term of not less than one year nor more than three years. In addition, he will be required to forfeit $30,000.

Brewer, who was represented by Attorney M. Timothy Koontz, is slated for sentencing at 11 a.m. on Nov. 9, 2009. Sgt. J. Smith and Cpl. N. Mines of the Mingo County Sheriff’s Department were the primary investigating officers.

Chester Woods, 62, of Williamson, was scheduled to go on trial Tuesday but after a jury had been impaneled for the case, decided to enter a plea of guilty to a felony attempt/possession of a Schedule II controlled substance with intent to deliver.

The plea was to a lesser included offense of possession of a Schedule II controlled substance (Cocaine) with intent to deliver, as charged in Count II of his indictment.

Woods, who also was represented by Attorney Koontz, waived the right to a pre-sentence investigation and was sentenced by Chief Judge Michael Thornsbury to serve a definite term of 12 months. In addition, Woods will be required to authorize the state of West Virginia to directly apply $946 of seized monies to the defendant’s home confinement arrearages.

Senior Trooper B.R. Moore of the West Virginia State Police was the primary investigating officer. State Police Cpl. S.T. Harper and Williamson Police Department Lt. C.D. Rockel assisted in the investigation.

The Mingo County prosecuting attorney’s office has obtained felony drug convictions in 128 cases this year, including the cases of Brewer and Woods, Mingo Prosecutor C. Michael Sparks reported.

Brewer was indicted on six drug-related charges which involved controlled substances, Alprazolam and Hydrocodone. Woods’ indictment included one count each of conspiracy to deliver and possession of Cocaine with intent to deliver. In return for their pleas, the state will dismiss the other charges against them.