A Fredericksburg man was sentenced to prison Thursday, August 4 on trafficking charges.

Chester D. Deringer, 32, of 9029 Carr Road, was sentenced in Holmes County Common Pleas Court to three years in prison on one count of aggravated trafficking in methamphetamine within the vicinity of a school. The charge stems from Jan. 28, when Deringer sold meth for $300 to a confidential informant working with the Holmes County Sheriff’s narcotics unit. The sale occurred in Holmesville.

Deringer’s attorney, Michael Ash, said his client is ready to turn his life around. Deringer is currently on probation for a drug offense in Wayne County. However, Ash said, Deringer is also currently employed and assists his mother in meeting household expenses.

“I would like the court to take into account the positive things he’s done,” Ash said. “I think he’s ready to take the next step. He’s been in trouble for so long.”

Common Pleas Judge Robert D. Rinfret said Deringer’s past criminal history notwithstanding, drug offenders in his court have a better chance than not of incarceration.

“It’s a policy of this court almost always to send to prison,” Rinfret said.

Rinfret further ordered Deringer to pay a fine of $5,000 and restitution of $300 for the buy money used by the sheriff’s office in the sale.

Trafficking in methamphetamine within the vicinity of a school is a third degree felony and carries up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine.