Lima man sentenced in prison drug scheme

11/3/2006

VAN WERT, Ohio - A Lima, Ohio, man who was convicted for a scheme to have other inmates bring him drugs while in jail has been sentenced to four years in prison.

Judge Charles Steele sentenced Elmico Crisp, 34, on Wednesday in Van Wert County Common Pleas Court to two four-year sentences that will run concurrently for his convictions last month on two counts of illegal conveyance of drugs into a detention facility.

Crisp, who was held in the Van Wert County Correctional Facility, arranged to have drugs brought into jail by prisoners who were returning from the courthouse. A jail employee found the drugs in an elevator.

Co-defendant David Eccard, 44, of Middlepoint, Ohio, was placed on three years of community control on a similar conviction.

Eccard, along with Shannon Hartman, were part of the Crisp plot. Prosecutors said Eccard placed the drugs that Crisp wanted in a courthouse elevator.

Eccard's attorney said his client has a substance-abuse problem and is enrolled in a substance-abuse rehabilitation program.

Eccard will serve 60 days on electronic-monitored house arrest, 30 days in jail, and perform community service.