By MONROE ROARK
Staff Writer

A string of felony charges led to a 10-year prison sentence for a man in Fayette County Superior Court last week.

James E. McDonald pled guilty to 13 counts of entering an auto, five counts of second-degree forgery, five counts of transaction card fraud, along with charges of giving a false name and driving with a suspended license. Judge Paschal English gave McDonald three years to serve.

” John Sharman pled guilty to marijuana possession and misdemeanor obstruction.

According to court records, he was a passenger in a car that was stopped last year and after an officer smelled what he believed to be drugs in the car, he found them on Sharman's person.

Defense attorney Lee Sexton said that the obstruction charge stemmed from the defendant's reaction to being patted down in the crotch by the officer.

Sexton requested first-offender status for Sharman, whom he said was gainfully employed as a plumber and needs his driver's license in order to work.

English granted that request, sentencing Sharman to five years probation — the first year being intensive probation — on the drug charge, and 12 months probation on the obstruction charge.

” Travis Lawton pled guilty to misdemeanor criminal trespass over what his attorney said was a school prank gone awry.

His offense has already gotten him a two-semester suspension from school, and he is now in alternative school in North Carolina. He has abided by his court-ordered curfew since May, his attorney said, and he is entering the U.S. Marine Corps in a few months.

Lawton received 12 months probation as a first offender, and English suspended six months of that term.

” Bryan Keith McElroy pled guilty to criminal trespass and simple battery, both misdemeanors, and received concurrent 12-month probated sentences on each.

He is to have no contact with the victim, his ex-wife, and visitation with his children is to be arranged through a third party, the court ordered.

” Carolyn Michelle Gates pled guilty to shoplifting, an offense she committed while already on probation, and received an extra five years tacked onto the end of her current probation.

Her attorney said that she served as the lookout while an accomplice stole about $302 in merchandise from Wal-Mart in Fayetteville. He added that the defendant has three children, to which the judge remarked, “She had them when she committed the crime, didn't she?”

English, while sticking with probation in this case, warned Gates that if she appeared before him again, she would go to prison, no matter how many children she has.

” Arthur James Edwards pled guilty to theft by receiving a stolen vehicle, shoplifting and cocaine possession. He received a five-year prison sentence, two to serve.

” James Richard Cochran pled guilty to misdemeanor battery, receiving 12 months probation.