A criminal history and repeated positive drug tests added up to prison for a Millersburg man who previously pleaded to a drug trafficking charge.

Lance M. Hoover, 32, of 101 Lakeview Drive, Apt. B60, was sentenced Thursday, April 28, by Holmes County Common Pleas Judge Robert D. Rinfret to one year in prison on one count of trafficking in marijuana in the vicinity of a juvenile. Hoover faced up to 18 months on the charge.

The trafficking charge stems from Feb. 22-23, when Hoover sold marijuana to a confidential informant working with the Holmes County Sheriff’s office.

Hoover’s prior criminal history includes convictions for breaking and entering and burglary. Hoover’s attorney, Jeff Kellogg, asked Rinfret to consider his client’s history carefully.

“The robberies, thefts, burglaries, those are all gone,” Kellogg said. “He’s moved to something else, but there still is a drug issue.”

Rinfret said Hoover’s criminal history is a strike against him that has only been enhanced by Hoover testing positive for marijuana four times while awaiting sentencing.

Rinfret said he will consider early release for Hoover, transitioning him into residential treatment at Stark Regional Community Control Center.

“Your record is really bad (but) its been good for some time,” Rinfret said. “For about four years, you look like you’ve done okay.”

Hoover previously served three years in prison for a robbery conviction in Tuscarawas County.