Patricia Jenkins, owner of Pat’s Handy Mart on Highway 68 in the Sand Rock Community, was sentenced by Judge Randall Cole today to 10 years each on 10 felony drug charges. Jenkins was convicted in Cherokee County Circuit Court on five counts of unlawful possession of precursor chemicals and five counts of attempted manufacture of a controlled substance. The sentences will run concurrently.

During the sentencing hearing, Defense Attorney Rodney Stallings told the court Mrs. Jenkins had learned her lesson, she was sorry for her offense, wanted to remain in the community as a productive citizen and asked for supervised probation. He asked the court to allow the defendant to remain out on bond until a probation hearing could be scheduled.

Deputy District Attorney Scott Lloyd pointed out to the court Mrs. Jenkins was arrested again on a felony charge of unlawful possession of a controlled after purchasing Hydrocodone pills in an illicit transaction in April of 2008. He also pointed out to the court the evidence presented during the trial showed Jenkins giving instructions on how to mix the chemicals in the manufacture of meth and that she would be willing to broker deals on putting more meth on the streets.

During the sentencing, Judge Cole told Jenkins that he did not find her to be a good candidate for probation. He said according to the evidence presented in court that she was a willing participant in the process of manufacturing meth and enabled people in the community and other areas to make meth. He did grant a probation hearing for March 3rd at 9 a.m. but remanded her into custody to be held in the county jail until that date.