By SYDNEY KENT
A woman from Bluffton was sentenced to four years in prison — with two years suspended — for selling methamphetamine to a confidential informant.
The sentence was issued after Cassie Abercrombie, 34, pled guilty to one count of dealing methamphetamine, a Level 4 felony. One count of dealing in a narcotic, a Level 4 felony, was dismissed as part of a plea agreement with the state.
Abercrombie was also ordered to pay court costs and filing fees in the amount of $940.
According to a probable cause affidavit, a confidential informant arranged to meet with Abercrombie to purchase $90 worth of methamphetamine on Nov. 29. Abercrombie reportedly requested an additional $20 from the subject upon meeting. The weight of the drugs seized from the CI totaled 3.33 grams.
According to Wells County Deputy Prosecutor Jeffrey Stineburg, Abercrombie was previously convicted for neglect of a dependent in South Carolina and she has a high risk of reoffending. These were the primary factors Stineburg presented to prevent Abercrombie’s bond from being reduced.
During a January hearing, however, Abercrombie’s bond was reduced to $10,000. She received 156 days of jail credit for time awaiting disposition in her case.
In October, several months before the sting, Abercrombie was involved in a separate case involving drugs. Howard Michael Bryant, 35, Bluffton, was identified as the subject who stole drinks from the Shell gas station with a knife in hand.
While police questioned Bryant, he requested to give his fiancé — Abercrombie — his backpack. Police located 33.8 grams of methamphetamine in an orange pill bottle, as well as drug paraphernalia and stolen drinks inside the bag.
However, Abercrombie did not sustain any charges.
During a December hearing in Bryant’s case, he told the court he needed to be released to continue “working maintenance” at his place of residence. The primary reason given by Bryant was so that Abercrombie would not be homeless.
The request was redundant as Abercrombie’s initial hearing for her arrest took place hours before in the same courtroom.
Bryant was charged with dealing methamphetamine, a Level 2 felony, intimidation using a deadly weapon, a Level 5 felony, and possession of methamphetamine, a Level 4 felony. Bryant was convicted of the Level 4 felony with all other charges dismissed. He was sentenced to six years in prison for the crime.
sydney@news-banner.com
