Judge jails man who stays mum on pot source

SHARON — Christopher A. Cameron left the courtroom Wednesday in handcuffs with his 3-year-old daughter crying “Daddy come back” and his wife criticizing his attorney.

Mercer County Common Pleas Court Judge Christopher J. St. John asked Cameron, 22, of 878 Baldwin Ave., Sharon, to choose between his family and his drug supplier. When Cameron refused to divulge his source, St. John sentenced Cameron to Mercer County Jail for 11 1/2 to 23 months.

Cameron pleaded guilty May 6 to possession of a little more than 1 ounce of marijuana with intent to deliver.

Sharon police raided his home Sept. 7 after an investigation of several months, and found a bag of pot on Cameron.

No one was charged with possession of other drugs found in the house.

Cameron, who had not been in jail since his arrest, said he started smoking pot at 13, and has been buying a pound a month to smoke and sell since he was 17.

Cameron asked for probation. When defense attorney David J. Graban argued that Cameron understood the severity of the charge, St. John fired back, “Apparently not,” noting Cameron’s five years of drug dealing and protection of his source.

St. John also sentenced Cameron to 2 years’ probation, and made him eligible for work release so he can possibly keep his job as a cook.

Driver admits improper left turn in fatal crash

HERMITAGE — Timothy J. Swogger has given up fighting the ticket he got from a fatal accident May 8, 2007, in Hermitage.

Swogger, 51, of 87 Woodrow Court, Sharon, pleaded guilty to a left-turn violation charge Wednesday before Mercer County Common Pleas Court Judge John C. Reed.

Wednesday’s hearing had been scheduled as a summary trial appeal of District Judge Ronald E. Antos’ finding of guilty.