FRANK LEWIS

PDT Staff Writer

Brandon Mockbee, 37, of Cincinnati, was sentenced to 20 years in prison, Friday by Judge William T. Marshall.

Scioto County Prosecutor Mark Kuhn said Mockbee was sentenced for the July 25, 2011, break-in of Staker’s Pharmacy in West Portsmouth.

Mockbee was tried before a petit jury and convicted of all 12 charges against him on June 13, 2012. The guilty verdicts included multiple counts of aggravated possession of drugs, theft of drugs, theft, breaking and entering, vandalism, receiving stolen property, possession of criminal tools and tampering with evidence.

Kuhn said the incident was investigated by the Scioto County Sheriff”s Office, after they were dispatched to the scene following the crime. Detective Denver Triggs reviewed surveillance video and identified a vehicle with custom tire rims that he recognized as belonging to Mockbee’s girlfriend. The Sheriff’s Office later recovered stolen merchandise from their residence.

The state’s case was presented by Assistant Scioto County Prosecutor Mathew Wisecup and Assistant Prosecutor Joseph L. Hale. Wisecup argued that Mockbee’s lengthy prior felony record, seriousness of the crime and lack of remorse justified a stiff sentence.

Marshall cited Mockbee’s eight prior prison sentences, and then sentenced him to 20 years in the custody of the Ohio Department of Rehabilitations and Corrections. Mockbee was lodged in the Scioto County Jail awaiting transport to the Ohio prison system.

Frank Lewis may be reached at 740-353-3101, ext. 232, or at flewis@heartlandpublications.com.