A Holmesville man who has been sought by the Holmes County Child Support Enforcement Agency since May has been living just down the street from the sheriff’s office, his attorney said Thursday.

Richard S. Lyons, 26, of 7056 state Route 83, was arraigned Thursday, August 11 in Holmes County Common Pleas Court on one count of trafficking in marijuana. The charge stems from Feb. 8, when Lyons allegedly sold marijuana for $100 to a confidential informant working with the Holmes County Sheriff’s office.

Common Pleas Judge Robert D. Rinfret said Lyons has outstanding misdemeanor child support charges in municipal court and “he’s been missing since May.”

Lyons’ attorney, Jeff Kellogg, claimed Lyons has not been far from law enforcement the entire time.

“He’s been living with his mother right next to the sheriff’s office,” Kellogg said. The sheriff’s office and jail are located on Township Road 574, about a quarter mile east of state Route 83.

If convicted, Lyons faces up to 12 months in prison on the trafficking charge.

Also in common pleas court this week, Brandon J. Elder, 20, of 585 N. Bever St., Wooster, was sentenced Tuesday, August 9 by Judge Rinfret to six months in prison on one count of trafficking in marijuana.

According to court records, Elder sold marijuana Nov. 12, 2010 and Dec. 9, 2010 to a confidential informant. The sales totaled $120.

Rinfret further suspended Elder’s driver’s license for five years. In drafting Elder’s sentence, Rinfret said he would be opposed to any early release programs.