The Lincoln County Superior Court rose on March 14 to dispose of a number of criminal cases.

Among them was the case of Michelle Heald, 38, of Jefferson, who had been indicted last March on charges of Burglary, Class B, and Criminal Mischief, Class D, and Assault, Class D. Heald accepted a guilty plea on the two lesser charges, and had the felony charge of Burglary dismissed. She was sentenced to 364 days in jail, all but 21 days suspended, and was fined $660. She was also ordered not to have contact with the victims and to participate in a mandatory counseling program.

Peggy Bailey, 48, of Boothbay Harbor, was arrested on two counts of Stealing Drugs (Class C). The drugs in question were oxycodone, stolen from her employer. She then worked as a housekeeper. As part of a guilty plea, the second charge was dismissed. She was sentenced to two years, all but 45 days suspended, and was required to pay a mandatory $400 fine and a $35 victim restitution fee.

James Burk, 45, of Jefferson was arrested last November for allegedly punching a juvenile boy in the throat and choking a woman. Burk was intoxicated at the time. The charges were Aggravated Assault, Class B, and Domestic Violence Assault, Class D, as well as a probation violation for the use of alcohol. Burk pleaded no contest on the charge of Domestic Violence Assault, and admitted the probation violation. He was sentenced to 364 days all but five months suspended, to be served at Two Bridges Regional Jail. He was also ordered to have no contact with the victims.

Heather Manson, 32, of Boothbay Harbor was arrested in November on two counts of possession of a scheduled drug (morphine). She had been arrested earlier that year on three counts of possession of a scheduled drug and violation of conditions of release. She pleaded guilty to the drug charges, and the violation of conditions of release charges were discharged. Manson was sentenced to one year, all but six months suspended, with the second drug sentence of nine months, all but five months suspended, to run consecutively. She was also ordered to pay a $400 fine on each charge.

Zachary Gethner, 23, of Waldoboro, who had charges both in Knox County and in Lincoln County, including animal cruelty, allowing a dog to be at large, engaging in activities forbidden by conditions of release, operating after suspension/habitual offender, and failure to stop, remain, and provide information, stemming from a high-speed chase he led police on in November with his two small children in the car, pleaded guilty to criminal trespass, and to two counts of allowing a dog to remain at large, as well as the traffic charges. The animal cruelty charge was dismissed. He will serve 15 months, including time served, and pay $300 in fines.

Henry D. Thompson III, 30, of Damariscotta received a $250 fine for an unregistered deer, and $575 in fines for traffic offenses including failing to stop for an officer, attaching false plates, and driving to endanger. He also lost his license for 30 days.

Deferred disposition guilty pleas were accepted from the following individuals: If they have committed no further crimes or violated conditions of release, the charges will be reduced or dismissed: Phillip Cunningham, Domestic Violence Assault w/priors, Class C and Criminal Mischief, Class D; Joshua Asch, Domestic Violence Assault, Class E; David William Smith, Domestic Violence Assault, Class D; and Reginald Stratton, Domestic Violence Assault, Class D, and Disorderly Conduct, Class E

The following cases were continued: Kyle Lancaster, charge of OUI (Alcohol) — No test — to April 11; Iris Laverdiere, Aggravated Forgery, Class B, Domestic Violence Assault, Class D, and Criminal Mischief, Class D — to April 4; Timothy Sounier, charge of Unlawful Possession of a Scheduled Drug, Class D — to April 11; John Staples, charge of Criminal Threatening with a Dangerous Weapon, Class C — to June 11; and Christopher Mirabella, charge of Theft by Unauthorized Taking or Transfer, Class C — to April 25.