Leesburg man receives 9-month prison sentence in meth possession case

A Leesburg man was sentenced this week to nine months in prison after pleading guilty to a meth possession charge.

Justin Stubbs, 46, was indicted in September and charged with receiving stolen property, a fourth-degree felony; and aggravated possession of methamphetamine, a fifth-degree felony.

Stubbs pleaded guilty to the drug charge Oct. 31, according to court records. The indictment alleged that Stubbs “knowingly obtained, possessed or used” meth on or about May 27.

According to court records, the plea agreement recommended community control and acceptance into the drug court program. Highland County Prosecutor Anneka Collins and defense attorney Denny Kirk both advocated for that sentence during a Dec. 3 plea hearing.

“I would just like to be able to get a chance to make myself a better person in society,” Stubbs said. “Hopefully I can overcome by addiction and prove that to everybody.”

Highland County Common Pleas Court Judge Rocky Coss reviewed the conditions of the drug court docket, emphasizing it is “a voluntary program.

“If your intent is simply to stay out of prison, then you’re wasting your time and our time,” Coss said. “If your intent is to become sober and lead a sober life, then this is the program for you.”

After the judge outlined that it is “about a three-year process,” Stubbs said he did not want to participate.

“All right,” Coss said.

The judge then sentenced Stubbs to nine months in prison, with jail time credit of 87 days.

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