Man facing 30 years in prison

A local man faces up to 30 years in prison with the help of a plea agreement presented to his defense Thursday in the First Division of the 13th Judicial Circuit Court of Union County.

Ronald R. Rogers, 31, of Strong, has been charged with two counts of delivery of a schedule IV controlled substance; three counts of delivery of a schedule III or IV controlled substance; possession of a firearm by certain persons; delivery of a schedule I or II controlled substance; possession of meth or cocaine with intent to deliver; possession of a schedule VI controlled substance with intent to deliver; possession of drug paraphernalia; and endangering the welfare of a child in the first degree.

Rogers’ attorney asked Judge Hamilton Singleton for a continuance so that she and her client could review the plea deal and speak with the prosecuting attorney about the conditions of the agreement. The plea agreement includes 20 years in the Arkansas Department of Corrections for drug delivery, 10 years in the ADC for drug possession, 10 years suspended imposition of sentence for paraphernalia possession and six years SIS for endangering the welfare of a minor. Rogers will return to court on the first of November.

Anthony Lytle, 40, of El Dorado, was given one final chance by Judge Singleton after being arrested on New Years Eve last year for simultaneous possession of methamphetamine and a firearm. Lytle said there were extenuating circumstances that would explain why he had the firearm.

“You’ve got me at the edge of my chair,” Singleton said.

Lytle said he relapsed on methamphetamine because he was unable to see his child, leading him to suicidal thoughts.

“I couldn’t keep the needle out of my arm so I was going to blow my brains out,” Lytle said.

He said now he understands that he can take steps to better his and his child’s lives, saying he realizes now that he doesn’t have to be a “deadbeat dad.”

“I’ve got to break the cycle sometime,” Lytle said. “I’ve learned more about me in the 90 days I’ve been here … than I have in my whole life.”

Lytle’s lawyer presented Singleton with a clean drug test for his client. Singleton granted the state’s petition to revoke Lytle’s probation and sentenced him to six years SIS.

“I want you to understand, this is it. If you violate the law again, you are a habitual offender,” Singleton said.