WILMINGTON — Originally guilty of three burglary-related charges, plus drug theft and seven counts of misdemeanor criminal damaging, a man has resumed serving a three-year prison term after he violated community control requirements.
Christopher L. Robinson, 30, of Hillsboro, and a co-defendant went on a crime spree Jan. 12, 2017 in Wilmington, breaking into residences and busting out vehicle windows in the areas of Timber Glen Drive, Meadow Ridge Circle, Sylvan Drive and Willow Bend Drive.
As part of a negotiated settlement, prosecutors and the defendant jointly recommended a three-year prison term, with prosecution indicating it would not oppose early judicial release after Robinson served 180 days provided he had a positive prison record.
He reportedly did not have any major infractions while in prison, and was granted an early release — with the prison term suspended. Judge William B. McCracken, retired, put Robinson on community control sanctions for a three-year period, with successful completion of a program at the STAR Community Justice Center a requirement.
After completing STAR, though, he failed to comply with drug-testing protocol multiple times and also failed to report to his supervision officer. At a court hearing, Robinson’s term of community control was extended to four years, and he was ordered to complete the relapse program at STAR.
He completed the STAR Relapse Program on Aug. 31, 2018, but never came to see the supervision department afterward.
According to court paperwork, at a late November hearing in front of Magistrate Helen L. Rowlands, Robinson requested to serve the rest of his prison term.
In late December, Clinton County Common Pleas Judge John W. “Tim” Rudduck re-instated the balance of the original three-year prison term, granting credit for 583 days the defendant had already served in custody, including time spent in jail, at STAR, and in prison.
Upon release from prison, the Ohio Adult Parole Authority will monitor Robinson for three years, stated court papers.
The co-defendant in the case, Justin J. Stephens, 21, no residence listed, received a two-year prison term, with time credit for 96 days in custody, in mid-April 2017.
Both Robinson and Stephens are obligated to pay restitution to five victims.
In an unrelated sentencing at Clinton County Common Pleas Court, Jeffrey L. Drake, 55, of Middletown, was placed on community controls for one year after he was convicted of aggravated possession of drugs.
He was given a suspended six-month jail term, and was granted time credit for four days spent in jail. He also must pay all court costs and a $25 public defender fee.
Reach Gary Huffenberger at 937-556-5768.
