A Jones County man was sentenced to five years in prison for his involvement in the sale of drugs as the result of an uncover operation.
Dean Watson Walker was in Jones County Superior Court July 14 to enter a guilty plea to the charges against him. Walker was sentenced to 15 years for the sale of methamphetamine and three years on the charge of possession of methamphetamine.
The two counts are to run concurrently for a total of 15 years with the first five years served in confinement. The remainder of his sentence may be served on probation. Walker was given credit for the time served in jail from his Jan. 26 arrest.
The defendant was indicted on the charges by a Jones County Grand Jury April 5.
Assistant District Attorney Cara Fiore prosecuted the case, and Walker was represented by defense attorney Debra Gomez.
Fiore told the court that Walker sold meth amphetamine to a confidential informant working with the Jones County Sheriff’s Office Dec. 21, 2021. She said a warrant was issued for Walker’s arrest, and more methamphetamine was found on his person.
The prosecutor said Walker had a previous federal drug conviction in 2012, and his only other conviction was 20 years ago.
Gomez presented several character reference letters to the court and asked that her client be allowed to serve his sentence in a transition center to allow him to continue to work and support his family.
Superior Court Judge Amanda Petty presided over the case. She said she had no objection to the transition center, but it was not her decision to make.
Petty stated that she oversees accountability court and deals with addicts on a routine basis. The judge noted Walker’s family members who were in court and said most addicts face court without support.
“You have support. It’s up to you; your actions are what got you here,” she said.
