craigdailypress.com

A judge on Wednesday sentenced a Craig man arrested in a methamphetamine sweep last December to four years in prison.

The man, John Zane Herod, 42, and two other people arrested in the drug sweep had court appearances Wednesday.

Herod pleaded guilty in 14th Judicial District Court to felony possession of meth.

The plea was part of an agreement with the District Attorney's Office that dropped meth distribution charges and bond violation charges against Herod.

Herod waived his right to a sentencing hearing so Chief Judge Michael O'Hara could sentence him immediately Wed--nesday.

The other two defendants in cases related to the meth sweep, Shaun Philip Sanchez, 26, of Craig, and Sherry Joanne Bristow, 22, of Craig, had their cases continued to later this month.

Herod, Sanchez and Bristow were three of 15 people arrested in December in a major meth sweep here.

Local law enforcement officers and agents from the Greater Routt and Moffat Narcotics Enforcement Team made the arrests after a six-month investigation. Charges against one of the 15 suspects have been dropped.

Police say they have evidence that the defendants sold meth to undercover agents or informants.

In Herod's case, Judge O'Hara said the fact that Herod has never been convicted of a felony was the main reason he accepted the plea deal.

The judge told Herod he hopes he doesn't get back on meth when he is released from prison.

"I hope, Mr. Herod, you are able to spend some of your time in custody thinking about your life," O'Hara said.

Herod, who appeared in court wearing a black and white jail smock with his hands shackled on his lap, declined to address the court when given the opportunity.

Herod was the first person from December's sweep to bond out of jail. He posted $50,000 bail on Dec. 29 and was released.

According to court documents, Herod tested positive for meth on Jan. 11. As a condition of his bond, Herod was required to take drug tests.

Police rearrested Herod on Jan. 31 at the Moffat County Courthouse when he appeared for a preliminary hearing. He has been in Moffat County Jail on $150,000 bail since.

Herod's prison term will be credited with 36 days for the time he has spent behind bars, the judge said.

Brandon Johansson can be reached at 824-7031, ext. 213, or bjohansson@craigdailypress.com.