Stevens sentenced for gun charge

A Cleveland man was sentenced to a year in prison Monday after he was admitted to having a firearm when he was arrested in Wooster reportedly selling drugs.

Kenneth Stevens, 49, 3792 E. 153rd St., pleaded guilty in Wayne County Common Pleas Court to having weapons while under disability (a third-degree felony) and possession of heroin. As a part of the plea deal, all other charges were dropped.

Stevens was arrested with three others -- Nicholas Knapick, Jessica Cahal and Helena Kaser -- at a home located at 2012 Brookside Drive on Jan. 18 after a search warrant was executed by local law enforcement.

Medway Drug Enforcement agents and Wooster Police officers reportedly found suspected methamphetamine, heroin, paraphernalia, cash and a loaded 9mm Uzi-style semiautomatic firearm.

Stevens previously had been convicted in Cuyahoga County for possession of cocaine and was therefore prohibited to owning or possessing a firearm. As part of the charge, the firearm was forfeited.

Stevens apologized Monday to bringing "these shenanigans into your community," adding he is now old enough to "not do things I been doing all my life."

Matt Malone, his attorney, noted the firearm was not used "to threaten anyone" and added his client "readily admitted it was his for personal use."

Reporter Steven F. Huszai can be reached at 330-287-1645 or shuszai@the-daily-record.com. He is @GeneralSmithie on Twitter.

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