HILLSBORO — A Clarksville man was sentenced to three years of community control on one count of aggravated possession of meth, a third-degree felony, in Highland County County Common Pleas Court.

Court records state that if Jerry Howard, 61, violates any of the community control sanctions, he would be given a sentence of between nine and 36 months and ordered to pay a fine of $10,000.

According to court documents, on or around Dec. 10, 2019, the Hillsboro Police Department received a call at Walmart about two people that were “acting strangely” and throwing objects on the floor. When a sergeant arrived at the location, they found Howard and another person. Both looked to be under the influence and couldn’t answer simple questions.

Both were placed in the back of a patrol vehicle and asked where their vehicle was.

One of them pointed to the vehicle and was asked if they consented to a search of the car, to which they said was fine. During the search, an officer found a broken glass pipe with residue. Both suspects were advised of their Miranda Rights.

Howard said that the pipe belonged to them. Howard also said he had a bag of tools and other things in the car and gave permission to search the bags.

During the officer’s search of a red and black tool bag, they found a plastic bag that contained a crystal substance that was later sent to BCI for analysis and tested positive for 3.45 grams of meth.

A Hillsboro man was sentenced to at least 48 months in prison for one count of aggravated trafficking in methamphetamine, a third-degree felony, and one amended count of aggravated trafficking in methamphetamine, also a third-degree felony,

Brent Rinehart, 45, was sentenced to 24 months for the first count, which was ordered to be consecutive to the second 24-month sentencing for the second count, both third-degree felonies.

Court records state that Rinehart was ordered to pay restitution of $220 to the Highland County Task Force.

In other sentencings, Cheryl Pedrick, 46, Washington C.H., was sentenced to three years of community control for one count of aggravated trafficking in meth, a third-degree felony.

Carl Hatfield, 57, Hillsboro, was sentenced to three years of community control for one count of aggravated trafficking in meth, a fourth-degree felony, and aggravated trafficking in meth in the vicinity of a juvenile, a third-degree felony.

Reach Jacob Clary at 937-402-2570.