Logan County Common Pleas Judge Kevin P. Braig sentenced two felony offenders to prison terms this week.
Tuesday, Daniel G. Dodds, 45, was sentenced to 24 months in prison on his conviction of operating a vehicle under the influence, a felony of the fourth degree.
Although no one was injured as the result of the defendant’s conduct, the court found the offense more serious than the normal offense of the type because law enforcement observed the defendant go left of center and because the defendant had previously been convicted of multiple driving under the influence offenses.
Under Ohio law, a felony OVI of the fourth degree is subject to a maximum prison sentence of 30 months.
In addition, Judge Braig sentenced Nicholas L. Morgan, 35, Wednesday to 24 months in prison on his convictions of aggravated possession of drugs, a felony of the fifth degree, and improper handling of a firearm, a felony of the fourth degree.
The defendant was subject to a maximum prison term of 30 months.
The convictions arose from a traffic stop by Washington Township law enforcement officers. After stopping Morgan’s vehicle, law enforcement found the defendant to be in possession of methamphetamine and a loaded handgun.
The court found that the combination of defendant’s possession of drugs and a loaded gun rendered both offenses more serious than the typical offense of each type.
In reaching its determination on the sentence, the court was mindful that law enforcement officers put their lives on the line every day to protect the law-abiding citizens of Logan County.
“The Court found that imposing a non-prison sentence under such a combination of circumstances would demean the seriousness of the offense and the safety of Logan County law enforcement who are entitled to as much protection from the Court as all other citizens of Logan County,” Judge Braig said in a release.