FARMINGTON — A Jay man accused of holding a woman at gunpoint over fake cocaine pleaded guilty Wednesday to attempted trafficking in illegal drugs.

Dahlon Campbell, 22, was indicted earlier this year on charges of kidnapping, criminal threatening and attempted trafficking in schedule drugs.

The case was scheduled to go to a jury trial on Monday, June 25.

Campbell and his attorney, Margot Joly, and Assistant District Attorney Andrew Robinson reached a plea agreement that dismissed felony kidnapping and criminal threatening charges.

They reached an agreement on a one-year deferred disposition, and if Campbell completes its terms he would receive an unconditional discharge, Robinson said. He would still be convicted of a felony, he said.

It is very clear that all the conduct was driven by the intent to buy drugs and sell them to others, Robinson said.

Campbell and co-defendant Shane Webber, 25, of New Vineyard, were accused of holding a New York woman at gunpoint Nov. 30, 2011, at a Farmington residence and not letting her go for hours after a friend of hers sold two ounces of fake cocaine to Campbell for $2,000. Campbell did not realize the drug was fake until after the woman’s friend excused himself to go outside to smoke and then people in the house, heard a vehicle start up and drive off, according to testimony that would have been heard if the case went to trial.

Robinson said the woman told police she felt threatened, but it is clear she had an opportunity to reach out to someone when the two men took her to McDonald’s to eat and let her have contact with her mother. She was also allowed to download movies to satellite television, Robinson said.

If the case went to trial, Robinson said, he was not sure the jury would find the defendant guilty of kidnapping or criminal threatening beyond a reasonable doubt.

“This case centers on a drug transaction,” Robinson said. “It focuses on buying drugs and distributing them in our community.”

Justice Michaela Murphy asked about the credibility of the victim.

She was not an innocent and was streetwise, Joly, a former assistant district attorney, said.

“It would be a case that would be very difficult for the state to prove,” she said.

The person who sold the fake drugs is now doing a one year sentence in prison. He is known as a drug dealer, she said.

Campbell decided to take the plea agreement, because if a jury believed the state’s case, then he could be convicted of felony kidnapping charge, she said.

A conviction on the charge carries up to 30 years in prison.

If the case went to trial, Robinson said, testimony would be given that it was a prearranged drug deal. Testimony would also be heard that Campbell admitted to a drug agent that he gave $2,000 to the woman’s male friend but adamantly denied kidnapping or threatening the woman with a gun.

Justice Murphy asked if a gun was ever pointed at the woman. Robinson said no. The guns were brought for protection, he said.

The deferred disposition calls for Campbell to not possess or use alcohol, illegal drugs or dangerous weapons, including firearms, and be subject to random search and testing. He also must continue to adhere to the pretrial service agreement that he is currently under, which includes prescribed treatment.

Webber pleaded guilty earlier this month to felony criminal threatening and misdemeanor violating condition of release. Justice Murphy allowed Webber to enter into a one-year deferred disposition.

dperry@sunjournal.com

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