Blaine Watson, 44, of HC 61 Box 23A, Sugar Run Road, Littleton, pleaded guilty Nov. 7 to daytime burglary in Wetzel County Circuit Court. For this offense, Watson was sentenced to one to 10 years in the West Virginia Penitentiary for Men, with credit for 120 days served.

Watson was originally indicted by the September 2014 grand jury for the offense, which was to have occurred on or about July 2.

Prosecuting Attorney Timothy Haught stated that with respect to Watson’s case, the victim in the case woke up and Watson was in her house, then he immediately fled. Haught stated that had the case gone to trial, the state would have offered testimony from the victim as well as “a couple of other witnesses.” When asked for his view of the events, Watson stated he had no comment but agreed that the state had evidence to convict him of the crime.

Also on Nov. 7, Nancy Jane Lynch, 20, of 187 North State Route 2, Apt. C-202, New Martinsville, pleaded guilty to a lesser included offense of conspiracy to deliver a controlled substance. Her original charge was delivery of a controlled narcotic substance (Percocet). A pre-sentencing report is to be filed in the case and Lynch will return to court for argument of sentencing on Dec. 11, 9 a.m.

Prosecutor Haught stated that Lynch’s offense occurred in New Martinsville at The Villas. Haught stated that Lynch conspired with her husband, who pleaded guilty of the same offense the previous day. Haught stated that if the case would have gone to trial, the state would offer testimony of witnesses present, testimony from the confidential informant, and confessions by Lynch and her husband.

Lynch stated in court that day that she was going to deliver the drug “for financial reasons.”

Lynch was indicted by the September 2014 grand jury and charged with delivery of a controlled narcotic substance (Percocet) and possession of a controlled narcotic substance (oxycodone) with intent to deliver. These offenses allegedly occurred on or about June 18.

Also on Nov. 7, Gale L. Francis Sr., 57, of 522 1/2 43rd Street, Bellaire, Ohio, pleaded guilty to possession of a controlled substance (marijuana). For this offense Francis was sentenced to one to five years in the West Virginia Penitentiary for Men, with credit for 102 days. The state agreed to not file a lifetime recidivist against Francis. Haught admitted that it would be hard to do, as some of Francis’ other convictions are in other states. Francis’ attorney, Jeremiah Gardner, agreed that Francis is on probation in Ohio and knows that his crime in West Virginia might cause his probation to be revoked in Ohio. “He’s doing his one to five here first,” Gardner stated.

Haught stated that in respect to the events of the offense, there was a routine traffic stop in New Martinsville and as the New Martinsville Police Department was searching Francis’ wife, they found two bags of marijuana on her. Haught stated that Francis was the driver of the vehicle.

On his Wetzel County Prosecuting Attorney Facebook page, Haught gave credit to the NMPD for another drug conviction. He stated that the department leads all other law enforcement agencies in Wetzel County for drug arrests in 2014. He also gave credit to Canine Ryder of the department.