John Stephens, 54, appeared in front of Harlan Circuit Judge Kent Hendrickson for sentencing. Stephens was represented by his attorney, Cotha Hudson. Commonwealth’s Attorney Parker Boggs handled the matter for the state.

According to probation revocation order, Stephens did not comply with the terms and conditions of his probation.

Stephens was granted probation on April 5, 2017, after entering a plea of guilty in Harlan Circuit Court on March 1, 2017, to first-degree possession of a controlled substance (first offense), operating an ATV while under the influence (fourth offense within five years), and failure to maintain insurance, according to the final judgment order.

Stephens was sentenced to a total of five years imprisonment, probated five years, all supervised through Probation and Parole, plus mandatory loss of license and $25 mandatory fee as stated by the probation revocation order.

According to officer Christopher J. Partin, Stephens failed to comply with the terms and conditions of his probation twice.

The first report states that on July 16, 2018, Stephens failed to report to the Probation and Parole office, after which a FTR letter was mailed to his listed address for him to report to the office on July 30, 2018. After failing to do so, a home visit was conducted and the camper Stephens lived in was found burnt down. An officer found Stephens in the same area and directed him to report to the office on Aug. 6, 2018. When he failed to do so again, another home visit was conducted and Stephens was again directed to report to the office on Aug. 13, 2018, which he also failed to do.

The second report states that on Dec. 6, 2018, when another home visit was conducted, Stephens was found to be in possession of a 12-gauge shotgun after admitting to having it upon questioning by Partin. Stephens was also found to be in possession of drug paraphernalia, and he later tested positive for methamphetamine and suboxone. Stephens refused to provide a larger sample for testing, resulting in a new felony arrest. Charges included first-degree possession of a controlled substance (first-offense), possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of drug paraphernalia.

On Feb. 21, Hendrickson revoked Stephens’ probation. Stephens was remanded to the custody of the Department of Corrections to begin his sentence, according to the probation revocation order.

In other court activity, a man is facing 16 months in prison in Harlan Circuit Court.

William Farley, 31, appeared in front of Harlan Circuit Judge Kent Hendrickson for sentencing. Farley was represented by his attorney, Russell Alred. Commonwealth’s Attorney Parker Boggs handled the case for the state.

On Feb. 6, Farley entered a negotiated plea of guilty, according to the final judgement order.

Farley was charged with first-degree wanton endangerment, DUI (fourth offense within five years), operating a motor vehicle while license was revoked or suspended for DUI, failure to produce insurance card, tampering with physical evidence and menacing. Charges stemmed from acts committed on April 12, 2016.

Hendrickson sentenced Farley to 16 months imprisonment, plus mandatory minimum revocation of his operator’s license and a mandatory minimum $50 fine.