Pryor pleads guilty to drug charge, sentenced to two years

While waiting for a jury to render a verdict, a man who was accused of his role in a Greenfield area drug operation that allegedly sold drugs during the first part of the month so that "customers" would have money from their public assistance checks, has pleaded guilty to a reduced charge. 

Jesse Ray Pryor, 22, was indicted in October on five counts, including trafficking in drugs, a felony of the second degree; possession of drugs, a felony of the second degree; trafficking in drugs, a felony of the second degree; possession of drugs, a felony of the second degree; and a forfeiture specification, following a Sept. 2 raid by the Greenfield Police Department and Hillsboro/Greenfield Joint Special Response Team on a home on Second Street in Greenfield.

During the execution of a search warrant on the home, officers seized 140 doses of heroin, over 16 grams of crack cocaine and uncut heroin in rock form along with the other contraband.  

Pryor stood trial on the charges Monday. The jury deliberated for approximately three and a half hours before being released for the evening. Deliberations resumed Tuesday morning at 8:30 a.m.

While deliberations were ongoing, the attorneys assembled in the domestic relations courtroom before Highland County Common Pleas Court Judge Rocky Coss. 

Pryor, who was represented by attorney Jon Hapner, entered a guilty plea to a reduced charge of possession of drugs, a felony of the third degree. As a result of the plea, the remaining charges were dismissed. 

The state, represented by Highland County Prosecutor Anneka Collins, recommended two years in prison. He had faced a maximum sentence of 36 months in prison. 

In addition to Pryor, Baretta Byrdsong, Richard Buycks and Christian Tuley were indicted on the same charges. 

 On Dec. 20, Tuley pleaded guilty to two counts of possession of drugs, felonies of the third degree; and a forfeiture specification. He was sentenced to 12 months on each count, to be served consecutively, for a total of 24 months in prison. He testified during the trial on Monday. Byrdsong and Baretta each pleaded guilty to the indictment Monday prior to the start of trial. Coss ordered a pre-sentence investigation, and a sentencing hearing has been scheduled for March 1. 

Coss noted that Pryor had misdemeanor convictions and that he was part of an organized crime operation. 

"While you were not the originator of the plan and were the least culpable of the four, you did associate yourself with organized crime activity," Coss said. "You were in possession of heroin, jointly with the others." 

Coss said that he found it "somewhat cynical" that the group chose the first of the month to sell drugs, so that people had their public assistance money. 

People were spending, Coss said, "Twenty bucks a pop on heroin. A lot of people spent money on drugs when they should be spending money on other things." 

It was stated during the trial Monday that each defendant had a role in the business. Collins said the testimony showed that Tuley provided the location, and Buycks and Byrdsong supplied the product - with Byrdsong as the "money man."

"The defendant provided the customers," Collins said. 

Coss followed the state's recommendation and sentenced Pryor to two years in prison, with 158 days of jail time credit. His driving privileges were suspended for two years, and he was ordered to pay court costs. Pryor appeared in the custody of the Highland County Sheriff's Office. 

The court then assembled in the main Highland County Common Pleas Courtroom, where Coss dismissed the jury, with the court's thanks.