A jury found a Scranton man guilty on five of six charges in Greene County District Court.

Assistant County Attorney Thomas Laehn tells Raccoon Valley Radio 23-year-old Kole Higgins was found guilty Wednesday by a jury on three Class D Felonies for failure to affix tax stamp, possession of marijuana with intent to deliver and gatherings where controlled substances are used, an aggravated misdemeanor for his second offense for possession of a controlled substance, and a serious misdemeanor for unlawful possession of a prescription medication. The jury acquitted Higgins on a misdemeanor for keeping premises or vehicle for controlled substances charge.

The conviction stemmed from an investigation by the Greene County Sheriff’s office that began in April. A search warrant was executed at Higgins residence in the 1100 block of Lincoln Street. Several drug-related items were recovered in the search warrant. Laehn was happy with the outcome.

“He now faces a maximum sentence of 18 years in prison. The jury deliberated for roughly two hours if not a little bit more than two hours. I think they took their duty very seriously, they weighed the evidence very carefully and I think they returned a just verdict.”

Leahn is a believer and supporter of jury trials.

“I believe the jury provides one of the greatest guarantees of our liberty in our country. No person can be sentenced to jail, or to prison, can have his liberty taken away unless the state first  convinces a jury of 12 of his peers that he committed the crime. So I believe in the jury as an institution.”

He thanks the Sheriff’s office for their work in gathering evidence and handling the case, which ultimately led to him prosecuting it in front of a jury. The sentence hearing for Higgins is scheduled for October 12th.