BG man convicted of drug possession

A Bowling Green man who said alcohol was a “demon” is going to prison for drug possession.

Clay Downs, 24, was transported from jail Monday to the courtroom of Wood County Common Pleas Judge Molly Mack.

He was charged in February with aggravated drug trafficking and aggravated drug possession, both second-degree felonies; having weapons while under disability, a third-degree felony; and receiving stolen property, a fourth-degree felony.

Charges of trafficking and receiving stolen property were dismissed.

A search warrant was executed Jan. 21 in the 16000 block of Mercer Road due to a drug investigation. Downs had more than five times the amount of methamphetamine in his possession. Officers also found a Ruger .380 that had been reported stolen.

Downs was convicted of a felony in 2019 in Wood County.

Defense lawyer Martin McManus said alcohol was to blame for his client's problems.

“Sometimes it takes a long time for people to realize they are an alcoholic,” McManus said.

He understands he can't touch alcohol, McManus said of Downs.

Assistant Wood County Prosecutor Morgan Spitler said Downs had a self-control problem and the fact he was out on bond at the time of this offense warranted the above minimum prison sentence.

Downs admitted he had a lengthy criminal record, but had struggled throughout his life with alcohol, which he called a “demon.”

While incarcerated, he said he planned to learn a trade so that he would have a decent job when he got out.

“Alcohol is your demon, and it’s linked to offenses,” Mack said.

She followed the state's recommendation of a mandatory final prison sentence of three years and an indeterminate term of 4.5 years for the drug charge and 18 months for the weapons charge, at purge simultaneously.

Downs must also pay a mandatory fine of $7,500.