MERCER COUNTY Farrell man sentenced for drug possession

Police found $12,000 worth of crack cocaine in a heating duct.
By HAROLD GWIN
VINDICATOR SHARON BUREAU
MERCER, Pa. -- A Farrell man caught with nearly 4 ounces of crack cocaine in his home while on probation on other charges will have a long time in prison to contemplate his crime.
Jason T. Pinkins, 27, of Hamilton Avenue, was sentenced to six to 15 years in state prison Monday on a charge of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance.
The sentence was handed down by Common Pleas Judge Francis J. Fornelli.
Pinkins was arrested at his home in August 2000 when state parole agents and Southwest Mercer County Regional Police searched his house during a parole visit.
Police said they found the cocaine stuffed in plastic bags inside a white sock hidden in a floor heating duct. The drug had a street value estimated at $12,000, police said. They also found $3,800 cash under a mattress in a second floor bedroom and a digital scale used to weigh drugs.
For the record: Assistant District Attorney Brian Farrone said Pinkins has a previous drug record and the severity of the sentence was an indication that the judge didn't believe Pinkins had ended his involvement with drugs.
Pinkins pleaded guilty to the possession with intent charge June 11 and charges of possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia and got credit for 355 days spent in jail in this case. The nature of the charges for which Pinkins was on probation wasn't available.
Also sentenced by Fornelli:
U Billy E. Jones, 31, of Cedar Avenue, Sharon: Total of three years and four months to seven years in state prison on guilty pleas to two counts of simple assault and single counts of criminal trespass and receiving stolen property. Among other things, was accused of dousing a woman with lighter fluid and trying to set her ablaze during a fight in the 500 block of Leslie Street, Sharon, in May 2000.
U Russell L. Bennett, 31, of Fruit Avenue, Farrell: Total three months to two years in state prison on guilty pleas of resisting arrest, possession of a controlled substance, possession of a small amount of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.
U Eneiko V. Chaney, 21, of Todd Avenue, Warren, Ohio: A total of three months to two years minus one day in county jail on a guilty pleas to simple assault and criminal conspiracy. Authorities said he was one of two men suspected of trying to shoot a newspaper carrier with a pellet gun in Sharon on Jan. 28 of this year.