LIBERTY&045;&045;Sixth Circuit Court Judge Forrest A. Johnson accepted guilty pleas from a dozen criminal defendants thus far in the June term of Circuit Court in Amite County.

A synopsis of the recent court action, based on records filed in the Circuit Clerk’s office as of Tuesday:

Leon (AKA &uot;Big Shot&uot;)

Weatherspoon pleaded guilty to being a convicted felon in possession of a deadly weapon. Weatherspoon was sentenced to one year in the Mississippi Department of Corrections with credit for time served. Weatherspoon was also ordered to pay court costs and expenses incurred by Amite County. The court also ordered an additional count from the indictment retired to the inactive files.

Jerry Bernard Bell pleaded

guilty to felony possession of a schedule II controlled substance, cocaine, greater than two grams but less than 10 grams. Bell was sentenced to eight years in the MDOC. After serving three years, the remaining five years will be suspended, and Bell will be placed on post-release supervision. The court also ordered Bell to pay court costs.

Terry D. White pleaded guilty

to felony possession of a schedule II controlled substance, cocaine, greater than 0.1 grams but less than two grams. White was sentenced to five years in the MDOC. The court retained jurisdiction of the case for up to one year for placement in the Regimented Inmate Disciplinary program. Upon successful completion of the program, the court ordered White returned for further sentencing orders. White was also ordered to pay court costs.

Courtney Lee Brister pleaded

guilty to felony simple possession of a schedule I controlled substance, marijuana, greater than 30 grams, but less than 250 grams. Brister was sentenced to three years in the MDOC. The sentence was suspended, and Brister was placed on non-reporting probation for three years. The court also ordered an additional count from the indictment retired to the inactive files.

James Louis Jordan pleaded

guilty to felony possession of a schedule II controlled substance, cocaine, greater than 0.1 grams but less than two grams. Jordan was sentenced to five years in the MDOC and ordered to pay a $1,000 fine plus court costs.

The court ordered Jordan placed in the Intensive Supervision Program (house arrest) for one year. Upon successful completion of the program, the balance of four years will be suspended, and Jordan will be placed on post-release supervision.

Joshua Anderson pleaded guilty

to a misdemeanor charge of carrying away a motor vehicle not amounting to larceny (joy riding). Anderson was sentenced to one year in the Amite County Jail, suspended, and placed on non-reporting probation for five years. Anderson was also ordered to pay $125 restitution and court costs.

Joseph James Walker pleaded

guilty to a misdemeanor charge of carrying away a motor vehicle not amounting to larceny (joy riding). Walker was sentenced to one year in the Amite County Jail, suspended, and placed on non-reporting probation for five years. Walker was also ordered to pay $125 restitution and court costs.

Henry Louis Weatherspoon

pleaded guilty to felony possession of a controlled substance, methamphetamine, greater than 0.1 grams but less than two grams. Weatherspoon was sentenced to five years and 11 months in the MDOC, with credit for 11 months served in the Amite County Jail. The balance of five years was suspended, and Weatherspoon was placed on post-release supervision and ordered to pay court costs.

Lee Roy Varnado pleaded

guilty to felony introduction and possession of a schedule II controlled substance, methamphetamine, into the county jail. Varnado was sentenced to three years in the MDOC with credit for time served since July 15, 2003. Varnado was also ordered to pay court costs.

Brandon Fitzgerald McGhee

pleaded guilty to felony simple possession (without intent) of a schedule I controlled substance, marijuana, greater than 30 grams but less than 250 grams, enhanced for being within a church zone. McGhee was sentenced to six years in the MDOC and ordered to pay court costs. The court ordered McGhee placed in ISP (house arrest) for one year. Upon successful completion of the program, the balance of five years will be suspended and McGhee will be placed on post-release supervision.

Michael Martin Dugas pleaded

guilty to felony burglary of a dwelling house (two counts). Dugas was sentenced to concurrent eight-year terms in the MDOC on each count. After serving three years, the remaining five years will be suspended and Dugas will be placed on post-release supervision.

Dugas was also ordered to pay court costs and restitution and receive intensive drug rehabilitation and treatment in the MDOC.

Reginald Deon Smith pleaded

guilty to felony simple possession of a schedule II controlled substance, cocaine, greater than two grams but less than 10 grams without firearm enhancement. Smith was sentenced to six years in the MDOC and ordered to pay a $1,000 fine. The court also ordered Smith placed in ISP (house arrest) for one year. Upon successful completion of the program, the balance of five years will be suspended and Smith will be placed on post-release supervision.