Poss receives split sentence

In Hot Springs District Court earlier this month, Andrew Poss was sentenced on six charges from a January incident during which he struck a local business and a patrol unit.

Poss was originally charged with felony counts of possession of meth with intent to deliver, possession of meth and two counts of property destruction over $1,000, and misdemeanors of leaving the scene of an accident, interfering with an officer and use or under the influence of a controlled substance — meth. However, he pleaded guilty to all but the charge of possession with intent, which was dismissed.

The charges are from a Jan. 5 incident, during which Poss was using methamphetamine outside a local business. The charges further state Poss, in leaving the area, smashed into the patrol unit of the responding officer and property of the business, and later fled from officers on foot before he was apprehended.

With regard to his sentence, Poss was given five to seven years on the felony possession, which will run concurrently with one year for leaving the scene, one year for interference and six months for being under the influence. He received a split sentence, meaning he will go to the county jail for a year with five years probation following.

Running consecutively with that sentence, however, is a second five to seven year sentence for the property destruction charges. That sentence was suspended for another five years of probation.

In total, Poss is sentenced to one year in jail and 10 years of probation. Should he fail that probation, he faces 10-14 years in prison.