Eader

ELKINS — A Maryland man was sentenced in Randolph County Circuit Court to five years of supervised probation for one count of delivery of methamphetamine.

Bryon Michael Eader, 48, of Grasonville, Maryland, was sentenced by Circuit Court Judge Jaymie Wilfong to no less than one, no more than 15 years in the state penitentiary, suspended for five years of supervised probation. Also, as part of the sentence, Eader received a $10,000 fine.

As part of his probation, Eader must participate and successfully complete Randolph County Adult Drug Court.

On Jan. 7, Eader entered into a plea agreement where he pled guilty to one count of delivery of a controlled substance.

He was initially indicted on three counts of delivery of a controlled substance, a felony.

Before the sentencing hearing began on March 25, Eader’s attorney, Steven Nanners, asked Wilfong to grant Eader a deferred adjudication.

According to West Virginia State Code, a deferred adjudication is when the court defers accepting a defendant’s guilty plea and defers on entering a final judgement, releasing the defendant “upon such terms and conditions as the court deems just and necessary.”

Nanners explained that Eader was a good candidate for a deferred adjudication, as Eader had been making a lot of progress since he was arraigned in November.

He told the court that Eader had no bond violations, paid off previous misdemeanor court costs, got his drivers license reinstated and took responsibility for the actions that led him to the courtroom that day.

Nanners also highlighted Eader’s work ethic, stating that his client was working full-time with handy-man and construction work.

Wilfong commented that Eader had tested positive for methamphetamine twice since his arrest, once on the day his bond was set and then a couple weeks after.

Randolph County Prosecuting Attorney Michael Parker, who was representing the state, opposed the motion for a deferred adjudication based on the nature of the offense.

Parker argued that Eader had already received the benefit of the plea deal with the two other counts he was indicted for having been dismissed.

Parker also raised issues with statements given during the plea hearing that claimed that those who came to Eader for methamphetamine only knew to do so because Eader was a drug user.

Wilfong did not grant Eader a deferred adjudication, citing that she was not convinced that the people who went to Eader for drugs only did it because they knew Eader was also a drug user.

Before Eader was sentenced, Nanners addressed the court again, asking Wilfong to suspend Eader’s sentence and place him on probation.

Nanners repeated his argument from before, stating that Eader was a “productive member of the community.”

Eader addressed the court as well, apologizing and stating that he was “embarrassed” by the whole situation.

He also stated that he felt as though he hadn’t accepted full responsibility for his actions in the past and that this was “not his life.”

Eader promised the court that this would not happen again.

Parker also addressed the court once again before the Wilfong announced the sentence.

He said the state would not object if the court did grant Eader an alternative sentence, as Eader has had “pretty much a very positive performance” while out on bond.

After she sentenced Eader, Wilfong stated that Eader had to make a change if he wanted to stay out of jail, continue to work and keep his family in his life.