Man gets 18 months in prison for trying to smuggle illegal drugs into CCA facility

By John W. Goodwin Jr.

The man received the maximum time permitted under law.

YOUNGSTOWN — A man convicted of trying to smuggle illegal drugs onto the grounds of Community Corrections Association on Market Street will be going to prison.

Gregory Richardson, who listed the CCA facility as an address, pleaded guilty Wednesday to attempted illegal conveyance of prohibited items onto the grounds of a detention facility before Judge R. Scott Krichbaum of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court.

Judge Krichbaum immediately sentenced Richardson to 18 months in prison, the maximum he could receive for the fourth-degree felony charge.

J. Michael Thompson, an assistant county prosecutor, said Richardson originally was charged with bringing the drugs onto the facility grounds, a felony charge for which he could have been sentenced to five years in prison.

That charge was amended to the lesser charge in a plea agreement with prosecutors.

Community Corrections Association Inc. is a nonprofit organization in operation since 1974.

A part of its mission is to assist individuals who have been convicted of a crime to refrain from future criminal behavior.

According to police reports, Richardson was searched when he attempted to enter the CCA facility in early June, and employees at the facility found one large bag containing marijuana along with 11 smaller bags containing the suspected drug stuffed down his pants.

Thompson said the marijuana was clearly packaged for sale, but prosecutors agreed to the amended charge because Richardson was apprehended immediately.

“They had a heads-up that he was coming and searched him right then and there,” he said. “He barely got through the door.”

Thompson made a statement on behalf of CCA before Judge Krichbaum passed sentence speaking to Richardson’s lack of respect for authority in trying to sell the drugs on the grounds of the detention facility.

Richardson may be placed on parole upon completing his prison term.

jgoodwin@vindy.com