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Man convicted of drug charge at trial

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CIRCLEVILLE – A Columbus man will spend 10 months in state prison after being convicted by a jury on a felony drug charge Thursday in Pickaway County Common Pleas Court.

Eric J. Corson, 35, of 509 Thurman Ave., Columbus, was convicted of possession of cocaine, a fifth-degree felony, by a jury of seven men and five women who deliberated about 105 minutes before reaching the verdict.

According to court documents, Corson was stopped for speeding on state Route 104 on Feb. 29, 2012, by Sgt. Kevin Dillard of the Ohio State Highway Patrol. Dillard testified as he approached the vehicle, he noticed the passenger making furtive movements and detected the smell of marijuana coming from the vehicle.

Dispatchers then notified Dillard both Corson and his female passenger had active felony warrants from Columbus.

A search of the vehicle uncovered drug paraphernalia, as well as marijuana in the female’s purse and on her body. Upon further inquiry, it was discovered the female also had cocaine hidden inside her body.

Dillard testified that Corson admitted the cocaine was his and that he instructed his passenger to hide it.

The jury concluded as the driver of the car, Corson had control of the cocaine even though it had been discovered within the passenger’s body.

After the verdict was read, Judge P. Randall Knece sentenced Corson to 10 months in state prison, to be served consecutively following his current felony sentence out of Franklin County. Knece also ordered a six-month driver’s license suspension.

Corson was represented at trial by attorney Matthew O’Leary. The state was represented by Heather Armstrong, assistant Pickaway County Prosecutor.

This article originally appeared on The Pickaway News Journal