Graham man takes 35-year plea deal

A Graham man Tuesday accepted a plea deal two days into his jury trial and was sentenced to 35 years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Institutional Division, for the offense of possession of a controlled substance with the intent to deliver four grams or more, but less than 200 grams of methamphetamine.

Harold Gene Blunt, 57, of Graham accepted a plea deal Tuesday, April 26 in the 90th Judicial Court, according to a press release from the 90th Judicial District Attorney’s office. Jury selection for the trial commenced on Friday, April 22 and the trial followed on Monday, April 25. The state was represented by 90th Judicial District Assistant District Attorney Phillip Gregory and Blunt was represented by attorney Lee Ann Marsh. Opening statements were made Monday by both sides in the case and following the opening arguments the court took testimony from witnesses.

Young County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Joshua Gallardo testified he and YCSO Deputy Jeremy Maxwell conducted a traffic stop on an SUV driven by Blunt at 11:20 p.m. on Feb. 2, 2021 at the Allsup’s convenience store at 401 West Main St. in Olney. Deputy Maxwell followed Deputy Gallardo and gave testimony along with Graham Police Department K-9 Officer Hailey Calcote and D. Michelle O’Neal of the Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office.

For the full story, see the Saturday, April 30 edition of The Graham Leader.