(BEDFORD) – Lawrence County Superior Court I Judge John Plummer III sentenced 55-year-old James Sykes to 15 years in prison this morning for dealing meth.
“Being guilty of dealing in methamphetamine, along with the aggravators of his criminal history, James Sykes should be sentenced to 15 years in prison, with all the time served,” said Chief Deputy Prosecutor Bob Cline during the sentencing hearing.
On December 3, 2019, Sykes plead guilty to a charge of dealing meth in a negotiated plea deal.
On August 8, 2019, Sykes was arrested after Bedford Police officers received a tip of possible drug activity at a home in the 1610 block of E Street.
The Lawrence County Task Force was alerted and, with the assistance of the Lawrence County Prosecutor’s Office, Judge Plummer issued a search warrant for the home.
When officers arrived at the home, they found Sykes and 45-year-old Victor Murray Jr.
Murray was wanted on a warrant for a parole violation and a warrant for petition to revoke. He was arrested.
Murray pleaded guilty to a charge of possession of meth on February 20, 2020 in a negotiated plea deal. He was sentenced to three years in jail. He was given credit for 64 days served and two years of his sentence was suspended.
During a search of the home, police found syringes and other drug paraphernalia that all tested positive for meth.
In a nylon case inside a moped, officers found 16.23 grams of meth, 1.27 grams of heroin, and numerous prescription medications.
Police arrested Sykes on charges dealing meth more than 10 grams while in possession of a firearm, possession of more than 10 grams of meth with a firearm, possession of meth, unlawful possession of a syringe, possession of drug paraphernalia, maintaining a common nuisance, and possession of narcotic drugs.
