Sullivan County Couple Sentenced For Drugs and Weapons Arrest
A Sullivan County couple was sentenced after guns and drugs were found in their car and at their home.
On Monday in Sullivan County Court, 46-year-old Robert Ballard of Rock Hill was sentenced to up to 15 years in prison for criminal possession of a controlled substance, conspiracy and criminal possession of a weapon.
In February of 2016, Ballard was arrested after an investigation into the distribution of cocaine and heroin in Sullivan County. Ballard was found to possess 300 grams of cocaine in the glove compartment of his car.
According to the Sullivan County District Attorney’s Office, Ballard was working with Adrian Phillip, the head of a Hudson Valley cocaine dealing conspiracy. Phillip was also sentenced to prison on Monday.
A search warrant at Ballard’s home led to investigators to more cocaine, approximately 46 grams of heroin and two illegal loaded handguns.
Ballard pleaded guilty to all three charges in April. As part of his sentence Ballard was ordered to forfeit $4,530 and a large screen TV.
Ballard's wife, Simona Ballard, who was also initially charged as a co-defendant to the drugs and guns, pleaded guilty to illegally possessing a club. Robert Ballard took full responsibility for the drugs and the guns found in the car and at the house, officials say.
The Sullivan County District Attorney's Office recommended that Simona Ballard be sentenced to three years of probation for the weapon's conviction. She was sentenced to a conditional discharge.
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