Jackson attorney disbarred, sentenced for meth charges

CHARLESTON –- In the course of a just over a week, a Jackson County attorney was disbarred and sentenced for her conviction last year on meth-related charges.

The state Supreme Court on Jan. 13 ordered the disbarment of Ravenswood attorney Jessica Sullivan. Records show Sullivan, 33, petitioned the Court in November to have her license annulled by voluntary consent after she was suspended in September following first her indictment in June on 23 meth-related charges, and arrest in July later on additional meth-related charges during an undercover drug buy.

The day her trial was scheduled to begin in September, Jackson County Prosecutor James McHugh announced a tentative plea deal had been reached. In exchange for Sullivan pleading guilty to one of the delivery charges stemming from the July 3 arrest, and one of the conspiracy charges from the indictment, he would dismiss all remaining charges against her.

During a plea hearing on Sept. 17, Sullivan announced she agreed to accept McHugh's offer.

On Jan. 21, Jackson Circuit Judge Thomas C. Evans III sentenced Sullivan to an indeterminate term of 1-5 years on each charge. The sentences would run concurrently, and she be given credit for time served.

Sullivan, who was first admitted to the state Bar on Jan. 10, 2007, can apply for readmission in 2016. She will be incarcerated in neighboring Mason County at the Lakin Correctional Facility for Women.

West Virginia Supreme Court case number 35765; Jackson Circuit Court case number 10-F-39; Jackson Magistrate Court case numbers 10-F-265-268