By CHARLOTTE SANDERS

Senior Writer

The year 2009 has been a banner one for the Mingo County prosecutor’s office, which has obtained felony convictions in 153 cases as well as more than $100,000 in forfeited monies and assets.

Mingo County Prosecutor C. Michael Sparks said proceeds from forfeitures are primarily used to finance future drug investigations and for acquisition of equipment and technology “at no cost to taxpayers.”

Guilty pleas from six defendants were accepted by Chief Judge Michael Thornsbury in Thursday’s proceedings in Mingo County Circuit Court. Three of the defendants received prison sentences and three others await sentencings scheduled for next month. Prosecutor Sparks represented the state of West Virginia in the six cases.

A 31-year-old Matewan man, Willie Wayne McCoy, pleaded guilty to first degree robbery and assault during commission of a felony, as respectively charged in Counts I and II of a September 2009 Information.

McCoy was sentenced to confinement in a state correctional facility for a definite term of 10 years for the first degree robbery conviction, and received an indefinite term of not less than two years nor more than 10 years for the assault during commission of a felony. The sentences were directed to run consecutively.

Attorney Ronald J. Rumora represented McCoy. Senior Trooper L.T. Goldie Jr. of the West Virginia State Police was the investigating officer.

– Shamona Lashon Cooper, 37, of Detroit, Mich., pleaded guilty to transportation of a Schedule III controlled substance (Hydrocodone) into West Virginia with intent to deliver, as charged in Count IV of her September 2009 indictment.

Sparks noted that the brand name prescription drugs Lortab, Lorcet and Vicodin contain Hydrocodone). Cooper transported Oxycodone and Hydrocodone from Detroit to sell in Mingo County, he stated.

Cooper is exposed to a sentence of confinement in a state correctional facility for an indefinite term of not less than one year nor more than five years. The defendant also will forfeit $2,500 seized from her at the time of her arrest.

Attorney Susan J. Van Zant represented Cooper. Trooper C.A. Douglas and Senior Trooper Goldie of the West Virginia State Police were the investigating officers.

– Michael J. Baker, 37, of Sidney, Ky., entered a plea of guilty to a fraudulent scheme, as charged in Count XI of his September 2009 indictment. He is exposed to a sentence of confinement in a state correctional facility for an indefinite term of not less than one year nor more than 10 years. Baker also will be required to pay restitution of $37,451.78 to City Tire Company.

Attorney Steven Johnston Knopp represented Baker. Williamson Police Chief Roby Pope was the investigating officer.

– Timothy Eugene Ellis, 40, of Panther, W.Va., pleaded guilty to attempting to deliver a Schedule II controlled substance (Oxycodone), a lesser included offense of delivery of a Schedule II controlled substance (Oxycodone), as charged in his September 2009 indictment. (The brand name prescription drugs, OxyContin and Percocet contain Oxycodone.)

Ellis waived the right to a pre-sentence investigation and was sentenced to confinement in a state correctional facility for an indefinite term of not less than one year nor more than three years.

Attorney Jonathan “Duke” Jewell represented Ellis. Senior Trooper B.R. Moore of the West Virginia State Police was the investigating officer.

– James Douglas Fairchild, 57, of Kermit, entered a guilty plea to first degree arson, as charged in Count I of his September 2009 indictment. He waived the right to a pre-sentence investigation and was sentenced by Thornsbury to a definite term of five years in a state correctional facility.

Attorney Jerry M. Lyall represented Fairchild. Cpl. N. Mines of the Mingo County Sheriff’s Department was the investigating officer.

– Glendine Sheppard, 63, of Williamson, pleaded guilty to separate counts of delivery of a Schedule I substance (Marijuana) and a Schedule III controlled substance (Hydrocodone), as respectively charged in Counts I and IV of her September 2009 indictment.

Sparks said Sheppard is exposed to a sentence of confinement in a state correctional facility for an indefinite term of not less than one year nor more than five years for each conviction. Sheppard also will forfeit $3,894; assorted jewelry, and a .357 Smith & Wesson firearm seized from her when arrested.

Attorney Steven Knopp represented Sheppard. Lt. J.D. Ferris of the Mingo County Sheriff’s Department was the investigating officer.

Sentencings for Cooper, Baker and Sheppard are set for 9 a.m. on Jan. 11, 2010.