Bid to smuggle contraband into Lucas County jail brings 4-year term

6/15/2007

Frank Maples, who is awaiting sentencing on an attempt to commit murder conviction, was sentenced yesterday for his role in an unrelated scheme to smuggle cigarettes and marijuana into the Lucas County jail.

Maples, 19, of 818 Fernwood Ave. was sentenced to four years in prison on one count of conveying illegal drugs into a detention facility. He entered an Alford plea May 14 before Lucas County Common Pleas Judge Ruth Ann Franks.

In an Alford plea, the defendant maintains his innocence or does not admit to committing a crime but still pleads guilty because it's in his best interest. The court treats it the same as any guilty plea.

Trivelle Hartfield, 22, of 287 Mont Royal Drive pleaded guilty to one count of illegal conveyance of drugs into a detention facility and was sentenced June 7 by Judge Franks to 17 months in prison.

Maples, who shot a man in the neck that paralyzed him from the neck down, is awaiting sentencing on the attempt to commit murder conviction after he pleaded no contest May 7 to a charge of attempt to commit murder with a firearm specification.

Lucas County Common Pleas Judge Denise Ann Dartt will sentence him July 30.