The Barrow County Superior Court recently sentenced the following people. Those charged and their sentences are listed below. Charges listed as nolle prosequi are those in which the prosecutor or plaintiff indicated they would not proceed with the case. In criminal cases, a disposition of nolle prosequi may be entered when evidence proves innocence or charges cannot otherwise be proved.
The following sentences were issued as part of negotiated plea agreements on Jan. 29, 2010 with Superior Court Judge David Motes presiding:
• Joseph Allen Garner, VGCSA: six years probation and a $1,500 fine.
• Joseph Cecil Black Jr., trafficking methamphetamine: eight years confinement, seven years probation and a $2,500 fine.
• Dwight Rhodes, child molestation and sexual battery: eleven years confinement, 15 years probation, meet all conditions of a sex offender and pay a $500 fine.
• Willie Allen Gordon Jr., obstruction of a law enforcement officer: 12 months probation and a $500 fine.
• Romeo Dwayne Kinney, obstruction of a law enforcement officer: 12 months probation and a $500 fine.
• Agustin Saul Hernandez Mendez, driving without a license and driving without headlights when required: 11 months probation and a $750 fine.
• Dominick Joseph Rotella Jr., criminal trespass and disorderly conduct: no contact with victim and a $1,500 fine. Simple assault: nolle prosequi.
• Christopher Steven Canupp, false report of a crime and obstruction: two years probation less 13 days confinement and a $1,000 fine. Failure to report an accident and obstruction of a law enforcement officer: nolle prosequi.
The following sentences were issued as part of negotiated plea agreements on Jan. 25, 2010 with Superior Court Judge T. Penn McWhorter presiding:
• Larry Joseph Hardigree, criminal trespass: 12 months probation less nine days confinement, $200 restitution and a $500 fine.
• Jarrett L. Smith, DUI less safe and expired license: 12 months probation, 40 hours of community service and a $1,250 fine. Failure to maintain lane: nolle prosequi.
• Steven Scott Barstow, simple battery: one month confinement, 11 months probation, no contact with victim and a $500 fine.
• Martin Nicandor Arias, giving false name and simple assault: 12 months probation, no contact with victim and a $1,000 fine. Disorderly conduct and aggravated assault: nolle prosequi.
• Mitchell Drew Morris, battery and theft by taking: 12 months probation, no contact with victim and a $1,000 fine.
• Jennifer Allen, theft by shoplifting: 12 months probation and a $500 fine.
• Robert Lee Evans, obstruction: 12 months probation and a $500 fine.
• Amanda Michelle Swords, reckless conduct: four years probation and a $2,000 fine.
• Brandy Lea Johncox, giving false information to a law enforcement officer: 12 months probation less 16 days confinement and a $500 fine.