EATON — A convicted sex offender was sentenced to two years of incarceration on drug charges in Preble County Common Pleas Court on Tuesday, June 8. Judge Stephen R.Bruns presided.

Jacob Sievers, 41, of Eaton, was sentenced on charges of aggravated possession of drugs, trafficking in drugs, possessing criminal tools, possession of marijuana, and illegal use or possession of drug paraphernalia. Sievers pleaded guilty to the charges in April 2021.

According to court documents, Sievers was pulled over in July 2019; a search of his vehicle resulted in the discovery of 21 grams of methamphetamine and 11 grams of marijuana. A later search of his home produced additional drugs and drug paraphernalia.

Sievers’ criminal history, which Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Eric Marit described in a sentencing memorandum submitted prior to Tuesday’s hearing as “abysmal,” includes charges of theft, forgery, and sexual battery in Mason, Warren and Montgomery Counties.

“It is the State’s position that rehabilitation for this defendant is a lost cause,” the sentencing memorandum further states.

Attorney Kevin Hughes spoke in his client’s defense before sentence was handed down, saying that Sievers’ criminal history was “far from abysmal,” and asking that he be given additional time to get his affairs in order before being taken into custody.

“We know he’s going to prison for some period of time, but we’d ask for one more week,” Hughes said, stressing that Sievers had “stayed crime-free” since being released on bond in July 2019.

The State objected, citing the length of time already elapsed since Sievers’ arrest.

Bruns sentenced Sievers to two years of incarceration; Bruns also stated that under the terms of the Reagan Tokes Act – legislation passed by the Ohio legislature in 2018 following the murder of a 21-year-old Ohio State University student – the defendant could remain incarcerated for as long as three years.

“That will be subject to your own behavior while in custody,” Bruns said. Bruns ordered Sievers to be immediately taken into custody.

Also in court Tuesday:

Derek A. Lane, 34, of Eaton, was sentenced on charges of attempt as it relates to abduction, assault, and disrupting public service. According to court documents, Lane struck the alleged victim in the case and seized her by the throat in an attempt to prevent her from leaving her residence. Lane also allegedly smashed the victim’s phone and took her keys.

Lane’s criminal history includes charges of vehicular assault, grand theft, contributing to the delinquency of a child and illegal assembly of chemicals for the manufacture of drugs in Highland, Clinton and Brown Counties.

“This defendant is violent, and belongs in prison,” Preble County Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Gractia Manning stated in her sentencing memorandum.

Lane spoke in his own defense before sentence was handed down, asking to be sent to a substance abuse treatment program to help him overcome his addiction.

“I’m a drug addict, and I’m institutionalized – being sent to prison hasn’t helped,” Lane said.

Judge Bruns sentenced the defendant to five years of community control; a reserved sentence of 18 months of incarceration could be imposed if Lane fails to honor the terms of his probation, minus credit for 376 days already served.

“I’m taking a chance on you, Mr. Lane,” Bruns told the defendant, indicating that if Lane violates the terms of his probation he’d “have little choice but to have you locked up in the Preble County Jail for the remainder of your sentence.”