Waverly man sentenced on 2 charges in Highland County Common Pleas Court
A Waverly man was sentenced to prison recently after pleading guilty to two fourth-degree felony charges in Highland County Common Pleas Court.
As previously reported, James C. Howes, 35, was indicted by a Highland County grand jury in November and charged with four counts, including grand theft of a motor vehicle and receiving stolen property, both fourth-degree felonies; and possessing criminal tools and aggravated possession of a fentanyl-related compound, both fifth-degree felonies.
According to court records, Howes pleaded guilty March 9 to the grand theft of a motor vehicle and receiving stolen property charges. The two fifth-degree felony charges were dismissed.
A bill of particulars alleges that on or about Aug. 22, 2022, Howes stole a vehicle from the parking lot of a Highland County business. The vehicle was later found crashed on a different road. A day later, Howes was identified as the suspect.
It was also alleged that a co-defendant (for whom charges are still pending) took another car from the business, which she allegedly claimed belonged to Howes. Law enforcement determined that the second car had been reported stolen from Pike County.
During a hearing March 9, Highland County Common Pleas Court Judge Rocky Coss sentenced Howes to a definite determinate term of 18 months in prison. He had jail time credit of 13 days. Howes was also ordered to pay restitution and court costs, court records show.
Howes was admitted into the Correctional Reception Center in Orient March 24, according to the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction.