WILLIAMSON — A new record in felony drug convictions has been set in Mingo County following guilty pleas submitted by seven of the nine persons appearing in circuit court Thursday.

Mingo County Prosecutor C. Michael Sparks said his office has obtained a record 53 felony drug convictions in 2009, surpassing the old record of 49 felony drug convictions obtained in 2005. He said that Operation G2 accounted for 41 of the 53 felony drug convictions.

Chief Judge Michael Thornsbury set 2:45 p.m., May 4, 2009, as the time for sentencing of six of the nine offenders who entered guilty pleas Thursday. Three others were sentenced.

Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Glen R. Rutledge appeared for the state of West Virginia in the plea proceedings.

A husband and wife identified as Billy Edward Altice, 47, and Cathy Lynn Altice, 46, of the Williamson-Belfry area, each pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit grand larceny on or about Sept. 23, 2008 in Mingo County. The offense involved the felonious stealing and carrying away of $22,746 in U.S. currency owned by the G & V Club Inc., according to their indictments.

Both Altices were sentenced to confinement in a state correctional facility for an indefinite term of not less than one year nor more than five years, and also were ordered to pay restitution. Lt. C.D. Rockel of the Williamson Police Department was the primary investigating officer in this case.

Billy Edward Altice was represented by Attorney Susan J. Van Zant, and Cathy Lynn Altice was represented by Attorney Diana Carter Wiedel.

Also sentenced was David Anthony Hairston, 28, Williamson, who pleaded guilty to attempting to deliver a Schedule II controlled substance (Oxycodone). Thornsbury sentenced Hairston to confinement in a state correctional facility for an indefinite term of not less than one year nor more than three years. Lt. Rockel was the primary investigator in this case. Attorney Jerry M. Lyall represented the defendant.

All of the following defendants who entered guilty pleas Thursday are exposed to confinement in a state correctional facility for a maximum term of five years.

• Priscilla Marcum, 51, of Williamson, pleaded guilty to delivery of a Schedule III controlled substance (Hydrocodone), as charged in Count I of her January 2009 indictment, F-29. Lt. Rockel was the investigating officer in this case. Attorney Stacey Bowens represented Marcum.

• Franklin Ray Hackney, 34, of Canada, Ky., entered a plea of guilty to distribution of a Schedule III controlled substance (Hydrocodone) within 1,000 feet of a school by a person 18 years of age or older, as charged in Count I of indictment J09-F36.

In Hackney’s case, the mandatory period of incarceration prior to parole eligibility shall be increased to two years due to a sentencing enhancement, Sparks said. Hackney forfeited ownership of a 2003 Ford Mustang. He was represented by Attorney Lyall. Rockel was the main investigator in this case.

• Joshua Friend, 22, of Phelps, Ky., pleaded guilty to distribution of a Schedule III controlled substance (Hydrocodone) within 1,000 feet of a school by a person 18 years of age or older, as charged in Count II of indictment J09-F41.

Friend, who was represented by Attorney Wiedel, not only is exposed to a maximum five-year term but the mandatory period of his incarceration prior to parole eligibility shall be increased to two years due to a sentencing enhancement. Rockel was the investigating officer in this case.

• Nathan Ray Ellis, 26, of Gilbert, pleaded guilty to conspiracy in the delivery of a Schedule II controlled substance (Oxycodone), as charged in Count II of his January indictment, F-85. Besides exposure to confinement in a state correctional facility for a maximum five years, he also will forfeit $326 in U.S. currency.

Ellis was represented by Attorney Charles Stanford West. West Virginia State Police Trooper B.R. Moore was the primary investigating officer.

• Mark Robby Belcher, 34, of Baisden, entered a plea of guilty to conspiracy in the delivery of a Schedule II controlled substance (Oxycodone), as charged in Count III of his January 2009 indictment, F82. Attorney Kathryn Cisco-Sturgell represented Belcher. Trooper Moore was the investigator.

• Sandra Kay Belcher, 33, of Gilbert, pleaded guilty to attempt to deliver a Schedule II controlled substance (Oxycodone). Belcher, who was represented by Attorney Stacey Bowens, is exposed to confinement in a state correctional facility for a maximum term of three years. Trooper Moore was the primary investigator in the case.