Ballard
MONTICELLO – A Rock Hill man, described as a “major player”
in a drug distribution conspiracy, was sentenced in Sullivan County Court
on Monday to 14 years in state prison with five years of post-release
supervision for criminal possession of a controlled substance as a felony,
7 ½ to 15 years in prison for felony conspiracy, and 10 years in
prison with five years of post-release supervision for criminal possession
of a weapon. He will serve a combined sentence of 19 years behind bars.
Robert Ballard, 46, was arrested following an investigation into the distribution of cocaine and heroin in Sullivan County in February 2016. He was found in possession of 300 grams of cocaine in the glove compartment of his car that was destined for distribution on the streets and to co-defendant Adrian Phillip. A search warrant was later executed at Ballard’s home where police found more cocaine, 46 grams of heroin, and two illegal and loaded handguns.
He pled guilty to all three charges in April and was sentenced as a second felony offender having a prior conviction in 2004 in Kings County for attempted possession of a weapon.
District Attorney James Farrell said based on Ballard’s status as a second felony offender, and his convictions for several prior felonies, including robbery and attempted robbery, and the significant role he played in the drug trafficking conspiracy, he recommended a total sentence of 19 years in prison.
Ballard was no stranger to the criminal justice system and had previously served six to 12 years and four years to life in state prison for robbery and illegal gun possession charges.
His wife, Simona Ballad, who was also initially charged with possession of the drugs found in the car in which she was a passenger, pled guilty to criminal possession of a weapon for illegal possession of a billy club found in the car. Her husband took full responsibility for the drugs and guns. Simona Ballard had a prior felony conviction for tampering with physical evidence in Kings County in 1996. Farrell’s office recommended a sentence of three years of probation; the court sentenced her to a conditional discharge.
