Watts get jail for drug felony

PRINCETON — A Sheffield man is serving two months in the county jail after pleading guilty to the Class 3 felony of unlawful possession with the intent to deliver cannabis.

Bernard Watts, 20, entered his guilty plea Oct. 7 before Circuit Judge Marc Bernabei. Watts was also placed on two and one-half years probation with the condition he pay fines and court costs totaling $2,000 and attend counseling as recommended by the probation department.

On March 13, a cooperating individual working with the TRI-DENT task force made arrangements to buy cannabis from John Ames, 51, of Buda. Upon meeting at a designated place, Ames was accompanied in his vehicle by Watts. Upon meeting with the confidential source and TRI-DENT officer, Watts was placed under arrest, with co-defendant Ames taking off in his vehicle and being arrested a short distance away. Watts admitted to the TRI-DENT officers he knew Ames was going to conduct a drug transaction but did not know about Ames having a handgun with him.

This is Watts’ first conviction. Co-defendant John Ames was sentenced to 10 years in prison in August after pleading guilty to the Class 1 felony of attempted armed violence.

Watts was represented at the sentencing hearing by public defender Michael Henneberry. Prosecuting the case was Bureau County State’s Attorney Patrick Herrmann.