A Marietta man is headed to prison for a year on charges of drug trafficking.
Dale D. Goddard Jr., 46, of 228 Spring St., Marietta was sentenced Thursday on two fifth-degree felony counts.
Originally accused of selling percocet tablets and marijuana in April 2010, he was indicted in this April on four fifth-degree and one fourth-degree felony counts of trafficking. On Aug. 6, he pleaded guilty to two of the fifth-degree counts. Goddard's sentencing was originally scheduled for Wednesday, but his presentence investigation report was incomplete at the time.
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JASMINE ROGERS The Marietta Times
Dale Goddard Jr., left, listens as Washington County Common Pleas Court Judge Susan Boyer hands down a one year prison sentence Thursday.
"The court ordered the matter continued to permit the court to check on various gaps in the criminal record related to Mr. Goddard. That information has now been provided," said Washington County Common Pleas Court Judge Susan Boyer.
Referencing the report, prosecuting attorney Kevin Rings pointed out that the current offenses occurred just before Goddard was released from community control in Noble County in May 2010, meaning Goddard violated his community control sanctions.
"In light of that, judge, I believe the defendant no longer qualifies for community control provisions," said Rings.
Rings cited a history of drug-related felony charges as further reason to impose a prison sentence.
Goddard was had a previous trafficking in drugs charge in 1997 and an illegal manufacturing of drugs charge in Noble County in 2005. He violated the community control sanctions of the latter charge.
In making a statement to the court, Goddard expressed a desire to make a 180 degree turn in his life.
"I've come to the point in my life where I've realized, there are just too many people that depend on me, and I keep letting them down," said Goddard.
Goddard said he started making positive changes a year ago, including becoming involved in community activities and making monetary donations to a charity.
Last October, Goddard's construction company voluntarily repaired and cleaned up the Washington County Children's Home Cemetery in Marietta.
Goddard's attorney, Joe Brockwell, asked that court to consider sending Goddard to the SEPTA Correctional Facility for drug treatment.
"There is no appropriate community control sanctions to meet to purposes of sentencing," said Boyer.
Boyer sentenced Goddard to 12 months in prison for each count of trafficking. The sentences will run concurrently, she said.
