A Chillicothe man was arrested on a drug paraphernalia charge and released from custody less than 24 hours later after entering a plea in Chillicothe Municipal Court.
Benjamin L. Browning, 52, was booked into the Ross County Jail at approximately 4:44 p.m. on June 23 on a charge of Illegal Use or Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, a fourth-degree misdemeanor.
Court records show Browning appeared before the court the following morning, June 24, where he entered a no contest plea. He was subsequently found guilty of the offense.
The court records indicate that Judge Keith Washburn, imposed a $150 fine and $133 in court costs. Browning was granted one day of jail credit for time already served and was not ordered to serve any additional jail time. Jail records indicate he was released from custody on June 24.
Under Ohio law, a fourth-degree misdemeanor is punishable by up to 30 days in jail and a fine of up to $250.
Public court records indicate Browning is no stranger to the local court system. Records associated with his name reflect dozens of prior criminal and traffic cases spanning multiple years.
The charge was filed by the Ross County Sheriff’s Office and resolved one day after Browning’s arrest.
