HIS DAY IN COURT — Represented by Scott Brown, Abe Wildman, at right, faced one felony count of manufacturing a controlled substance.

Abe Wildman and Patrick Neff accepted plea deals from the state March 10.

Abe, 19, of 408 South Third Ave., Paden City, is charged with one felony count of manufacturing a controlled substance. Wildman originally pleaded not guilty Nov. 6, 2008.

He was represented by Scott Brown.

County Prosecutor Luke Furbee presented the evidence of the case before Judge Mark Karl. Tyler County Sheriff’s Dep. Shannon Huffman and Cpl. Joseph Richardson with the Sistersville Police Department conducted a sting using an informant to buy morphine off of Abe.

“The confidential informant was given $100 in marked bills and arranged a buy with this defendant over a cell phone,” described Furbee. “(The informant) traveled to this residence with his girlfriend and made the buy with the $100. Later that day a search warrant was obtained for that address.”

The sting also resulted in the arrest of his parents, Robert and Melissa Wildman. Robert Wildman, 54, pleaded guilty to one felony count of manufacturing of a controlled substance for growing marijuana and was placed on two years probation.

Melissa Wildman, 38, is charged with five felony counts of possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver, and one felony count of manufacturing of a controlled substance. Melissa was found with Oxycontin, Oxycodone, Kadian, Vicodin, and Zanax. Melissa was also found to be growing and cultivating marijuana. Melissa is represented by Roger Weese. Her trial date is May 12 at 9 a.m.

Abe admitted to the facts of the case and pleaded guilty on the advice of his attorney.

“I sold 10 morphine pills to one of my friends,” said Abe.

Abe could be sentenced to one to five years in the West Virginia Penitentiary for Men and fined as much as $15,000. Furbee said Abe could face 1-15 years in prison if charged differently.

“The indictment which was returned in the October term charges the defendant with 1-5 years, though the substance was delivered as a narcotic,” said Furbee. “Otherwise it would be 1-15 years. I believe the former prosecutor must have intended to charge him with the lesser charge.”

Sentencing for Abe will take place April 9 at 9 a.m.

Patrick S. Neff pleaded guilty to one felony count of petit larceny second offence, one misdemeanor count of public intoxication, and one misdemeanor count of disorderly conduct.

Neff, 41, of 294 N. Wells St., Sistersville, attempted to steal a half-gallon of Jim Beam worth $30.39 from the Sistersville BP Station on Chelsea St. Cpl. Joseph Richardson located Neff by the Elks Lodge. Neff was highly intoxicated and began shouting and using vulgar language directed at Richardson.

Neff was sentenced to one year in the State Penitentiary. Judge Karl suspended the sentence and ordered Neff to North Central Regional Jail for 30 days. Once the jail term is completed, Neff will be placed on probation.