Local man sent to prison for drug deal

Two local residents pleaded guilty Monday to separate controlled drug buys.Upon being convicted of trafficking in buprenorphine, Jason R. Oney, 38, of 4607 Egypt Road, Willard, was sentenced to 10 months in prison. He must reimburse the Willard Police Department $35 for drug testing.As part of a plea deal with defense attorney Paul Dolce, which included the prison recommendation, prosecutors lowered the charge from a fourth-degree felony to a fifth-degree felony. Also, Huron County Common Pleas Judge Jim Conway agreed to have Oney receive credit for his sentence starting April 6.Since Oney has a previous felony, he was eligible for a prison sentence. In mid-May 2010, he was sentenced to six months in prison for non-support of dependents. Oney also had to reimburse a Columbus woman about $7,067 for the child support he owed.In the current case, police gave a confidential informant $40 to buy Suboxone from Oney. Huron County Prosecutor Daivia Kasper said the informant met with Oney's female co-defendant Jan. 26 and waited until Oney showed up with two pills, which were tested by the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation. In another plea hearing Tuesday, Joseph B. Bursley, 33, of 4395 Gibbs Road, Apt. 3, was convicted of trafficking in oxycodone. His conviction is for an Oct. 20 controlled drug buy."In exchange, the state will dismissing the remaining counts," Assistant Prosecutor Richard Woodruff said.Bursley, in late April, was charged with one count of trafficking in marijuana in connection with an Oct. 20 controlled drug buy and two charges of trafficking in LSD stemming from Oct. 20 and Jan. 26 transactions.Since Bursley has a previous felony conviction, he could face a prison term when he is sentenced Aug. 25. He remains out on a $10,000 bond.OneyBursley