1/5/12 Wooster woman gets jail, house arrest in illegal Percocet sales

  • By Nick Sabo
  • January 5, 2012
  • 353
                        
A Wooster woman avoided prison when sentenced Wednesday Jan. 4 on drug charges. Tianna Banton, 31, 2672 Ruble drive, was sentenced in Holmes County Common Pleas Court on one count of trafficking in a schedule II drug in the vicinity of a juvenile to house arrest and 30 days in jail. The charge, a third-degree felony, carries up to 36 months in prison. The charge stems from two sales of Percocet that Banton made to a confidential informant working with the Holmes County Sheriff’s office April 21 and May 2. The sales were for $350 each. Because Banton’s son was with her at the May 2 sale, the charge was enhanced from a fourth-degree felony to a third-degree felony. Banton said her son was present because he is medically disabled and needs constant monitoring. Banton further stated she did not know she was doing anything wrong. “Without knowing that I was doing anything wrong, I did have my son with me,” Banton said. “I’m still so sick I had him with me. It was natural for him to be with me every minute of the day.” Prosecuting Attorney Steve Knowling said he believed Banton understood the sales were illegal. “I’m concerned she didn’t know anything was wrong,” Knowling said. “She made two sales for $350 each, the sales were monitored and recorded (and) there was drug talk.” Common Pleas Judge Robert D. Rinfret said granting house arrest on a third-degree felony drug conviction is a first for him. Rinfret said Banton’s lack of a prior criminal record had much to do with his decision. “This is the first felony three that I haven’t sent to prison,” Rinfret said. “Your record, you have nothing. (However) there has to be consequences for what you did.” Rinfret further stated that Banton’s “child being with (her), I understand.” Rinfret placed Banton on electronically monitored house arrest and three years probation. He further suspended Banton’s diver’s license for two years and ordered she pay back the $700 used to facilitate the drug sales.


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