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Post office break-ins lead to year in prison
HUNTINGTON -- Grady Tillman Fannin received a 1-year, 1-day prison sentence and orders to assist in the paying of $5,592 restitution in connection with break-ins at two post offices.
Fannin, 42, of Crum had pleaded guilty to conspiracy in U.S. District Court in Huntington. He signed an agreement with prosecutors agreeing he and others conspired to break into U.S. Post Offices to steal blank money order forms and money order imprinters.
The agreement further states Fannin participated in break-ins on July 9, 2010, at the Post Office in Crum, followed by a July 21, 2010, break-in at the Breeden post office in Mingo County, W.Va.
The machines were used to create forged money orders, according to the agreement. Those forgeries were then cashed and the proceeds split among those who participated in the conspiracy.
Fannin's defense sought supervised release with no prison time. It argued Fannin's behavior stemmed from his encounter with bad influences and a prescription drug addiction born out of his work in the mining industry.
Federal prosecutors, in exchange for Fannin's admission, agreed to dismiss two counts each of post office breaking and entering, theft of money order forms and theft of money order machines.
Man admits to hiding crack in mom's purse
Jason Stewart Johnson, 28, pleaded guilty to possessing with an intent to distribute crack cocaine. It was the sole count of his indictment. Sentencing is set for March 18, 2013.
Johnson signed an agreement with federal prosecutors stating his plea stems from an Oct. 15, 2010, arrest in Huntington. That's when police stopped his vehicle near 27th Street and Highlawn Avenue in Huntington.
Investigators found 18.2 grams of crack cocaine hidden inside the purse of Johnson's mother. He admitted to owning it with an intent to sell, the agreement states.
Beyond that incident, the agreement links Johnson to at least 262.37 grams of crack cocaine. It states he had been trafficking the drug for at least four-and-a-half months. He was not charged in relation to the previous activity.
Follow Curtis Johnson via Twitter @curtisjohnsonHD and http://facebook.com/curtisjohnsonHD.
