News
Former “Most Wanted” Sentenced To Second Stint In Prison
By: Joe Higgins | Athens Messenger
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A Millfield man once purported to be the top man on the Athens County Sheriff's Office's "most wanted" list is headed back to prison for a second time.
Raymond Dawson, 35, also known as "Forty", appeared in Athens County Common Pleas Court Wednesday and admitted to violating terms of his community control.
In March of 2010, Dawson pleaded guilty to trafficking in heroin and was sentenced to five years of community control with an underlying prison sentence of three years. A plea agreement was reached in part because the prosecution felt the case suffered when a confidential informant died.
In November of the same year, Dawson was found guilty of violating his community control and was sentenced to 18 months in prison with an additional 18 months underlying should he re-offend. When released, he remained on community control.
Wednesday, Dawson admitted to violating his community control by using heroin and cocaine on Dec. 18 and Jan. 4. and was sentenced to another 18-month prison stint. He is eligible for judicial release after 30 days have been served but Athens County Prosecutor Keller Blackburn said he will oppose any motion for early judicial release. Once released, Dawson will be subject to another three years of post release control.
Dawson was once arrested during the sheriff's office's "Operation Busted Balloon," during which Sheriff Patrick Kelly claimed that Dawson was at the top of his "most wanted" list and that the drug sweep was justified on his arrest alone.