Sokira gets five years for drug trafficking

A Williamsburg man recently received a five-year prison sentence for dealing drugs in the Highland Park area, according to a Williamsburg Police Department release.

On Aug. 1, Whitley Circuit Judge Dan Ballou sentenced Gregory D. Sokira, 51, of Rains Street, to a five-year prison sentence for second-offense trafficking in methamphetamine, and a 12-month jail sentence for possession of drug paraphernalia, according to court documents.

Ballou ordered the two sentences to be served concurrently, or at the same time, for a total sentence of five years in prison. Under state law, the misdemeanor sentence has to be served concurrently with the felony sentence.

On June 29, 2021, Sokira was distributing methamphetamine and had 28 grams of methamphetamine in his possession along with digitals scales, individual distribution baggies and cash, according to the release.

Sokira pled guilty on July 7 to an amended charge of first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance less than two grams of meth, according to court documents. He could have received up to 10 years in prison for the offense.

Sokira had previously been convicted of drug trafficking prior to his arrest, according to the release.

He was also ordered to pay $140 in court costs after he is released from custody.

Williamsburg Police Officer Dorman Patrick Jr., Sgt. Elijah Hunter and K-9 Thor investigated the case.

Whitley County Commonwealth Attorney Ronnie Bowling’s office successfully prosecuted the case.