Curtis Lemasters

One defendant was sentenced and another released on probation during proceedings in Wetzel County Circuit Court on Tuesday. Judge Mark A. Karl presided as these individuals, along with several others, appeared to continue matters in their cases.

Curtis A. Lemasters, 26, of 215 Scott Place, Fairmont, pleaded guilty to counts one and two of his indictment in circuit court on Tuesday. For count one, that being third offense driving on a license revoked for DUI, Lemasters was sentenced to the West Virginia Penitentiary for Men for a period of one to three years and fined $3,000; and for count two, that being fleeing from an officer in a vehicle, he was sentenced to one to five years in the state penitentiary. Those sentences were ordered to run concurrently, with credit for 119 days served. However, per the plea agreement, Lemasters was granted alternative sentencing in the form of one year in home confinement. Also pursuant to the plea agreement, the state dismissed count three of his indictment, that being the felony offense of altering a distinguishing number for a motor vehicle.

During his hearing Lemasters apologized to the court for the inconvenience he had caused and thanked the prosecution for the courtesy shown in the plea agreement.

In January 2011, Lemasters received the three-count indictment for his offenses said to have occurred on or about Oct. 27 in Wetzel County when he

allegedly fled from Deputy R. L. Scott Jr. on on state Route 7 and state Route 20 after Deputy Scott had activated his blue lights and siren. Lemasters allegedly operated his vehicle in a manner showing a reckless indifference to the safety of others by driving at high rates of speed while a pregnant female passenger was in his vehicle.

Meanwhile, Thomas M. Smith, 21, of 20 Steelton Street, New Martinsville, appeared in Wetzel County Circuit Court where it was learned he had successfully completed the program at the Anthony Center for Youthful Offenders within the allotted time period. Per his plea agreement, Smith was placed on two years supervised probation.

On Sept. 17 Smith was sentenced to one to 15 years in the West Virginia State Penitentiary for Men for his one count felony offense of nighttime burglary. However, execution of the sentence was suspended and Smith was ordered to successfully complete the program at the Anthony Center for Youthful Offenders within six months to two years. He was also ordered to receive drug and alcohol treatment while at the center due to his stated use of marijuana and heroin.