Man pleads guilty to drug and weapons-related charges

Judge Doyet "Jack" Early heard guilty pleas throughout the day last Wednesday, Jan. 18, during General Sessions Court at the Aiken County courthouse.

Tyrone Bowman, 35, of W. Buena Vista Avenue in North Augusta, pleaded guilty to six indictments for drug and weapons-related crimes during an Oct. 23, 2010, traffic stop. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison for trafficking cocaine 10 grams or more but less than 28 grams; 10 years for possession with intent to distribute crack; one year for possession of benzylpiperazine, a drug similar to ecstasy; five years for possession of a stolen pistol; one year for possession of hydrocodone; and one year for unlawful possession of a pistol. If Bowman is convicted of another crime classified as "most serious" under South Carolina's enhancement laws, he could face a life sentence without the possibility of parole. Bowman pleaded guilty against the advice of his public defender.

Possession of meth

Jason Sheaf, 26, of Goodman Road in Jackson, pleaded guilty to possession of methamphetamine when he was found in possession of less than 1 gram of meth during a traffic stop. He was sentenced to 52 days, which is his time served.

Burglary

Ada Hooker, 43, of Hillside Drive in North Augusta, pleaded guilty to burglary second degree nonviolent and was sentenced to 10 years suspended upon 132 days, which is her time served. She was also sentenced to five years of probation. Hooker was also charged in four other burglaries, but the charges were dismissed Wednesday because she was incarcerated when the four burglaries occurred.

Intent to distribute

Cyndi Bowen, 37, of Graystone Drive in Beech Island, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute meth first offense for a July 27 arrest in which evidence of meth distribution, including baggies with small amounts of meth residue, were found in her possession. She was sentenced to three years suspended upon time served, and probation for three years.

Unlawful weapon

David Dontrell Edwards Jr., 19, of Frieday Lane in Aiken, pleaded guilty to unlawful carrying of a pistol and possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine. After Edwards and other parties were questioned after a fight on Hampton Avenue, officers found Edwards' ID, a handgun and two cigarette boxes containing crack cocaine and some marijuana near the vehicle. Edwards was sentenced to four years on the cocaine charge and one year on the weapon charge, to run concurrently.

Attempted theft

John Lowe, 28, of Fannie Lane in Warrenville, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to three years in prison suspended upon six days at the detention center and probation for three years for attempting to steal a stainless steel beam from a condemned building in October.