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Drug dealer with drive-through access gets 3-year jail term
By JOHN W. GOODWIN JR.
YOUNGSTOWN
A Boardman man who prosecutors say treated his illegal home-drug operation like a fast-food drive-through will spend the next thr ee years in prison.
Archie Stanford Jr., 23, of Moyer Avenue, appeared for sentencing Thursday before Judge James Evans of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court.
The judge sentenced Stanford to a total of three years in prison and ordered him to pay fines of $12,500.
Stanford’s driver’s license also has been suspended for five years.
A grand jury indicted Stanford in 2009 on three felony counts of trafficking in cocaine. The indictment says Stanford made the drug transactions within 1,000 feet of a school.
Stanford was facing more than 14 years in prison had he received the maximum sentence on each of the three charges.
Prosecutors and Stanford reached a plea agreement in February in which Stanford agreed to plead guilty to the charges, and prosecutors agreed to recommend the three-year sentence he received.
Martin P. Desmond, an assistant county prosecutor, said Stanford used a window in his basement apartment as a drive-up window for drug transactions. He ultimately was involved in a series of drug sales to undercover officers.
“This is unique with the drive-up window,” he said. “People just pulled or walked up and he would ask what they needed then lean back in and get it.”
Atty. James Vivo, representing Stanford, said his client has recognized any mistakes he has made and is ready to move on.
“He admitted he made a mistake in this matter and was willing to take responsibility for it. He asked the court to take that into consideration, and we believe the court did that,” Vivo added.