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A Powhatan Point man was sentenced to almost 50 years behind bars for fraudulently using the credit card of a woman whose daughter suffered a fatal drug overdose allegedly in his presence.
Aaron Jennewein, 26, was convicted last month of eight counts of unauthorized use of an access device for stealing $9,250 from Judith Nelms, the mother of Mallory Nelms, with whom he was associating with at the time. Jennewein repeatedly charged the card at Wal-Mart for gift cards, before taking them to Ohio and selling them to support his heroin habit.
Mallory Nelms died of a drug overdose on Jan. 23 in Belmont County, where Jennewein allegedly took the unresponsive woman before calling his parents to assist her. By the time medical personnel arrived on scene, Mallory Nelms was dead.
Jennewein has not been charged in Belmont County in connection with Nelms' death.
Addressing the court during Jennewein's recent sentencing hearing, Judith Nelms said she had to quit her dog grooming business to care for her grandchild, supported by her friends and family.
"Your actions were nothing less than the desperation of a drug addict," she told Jennewein, who did not face her as she read her victim impact statement. "You did this with no conscience at all about the financial burden this would cause my family, and the hurt and betrayal that Mallory would suffer from your actions. You are the most selfish, cold-hearted demon that Satan has spawned. … You are nothing less than pure evil."
Judge Jeff Cramer pointed out that Jennewein has not held a job since reaching adulthood, and has compiled an extensive criminal record with an average of one conviction each year since turning 18.
"In that eight-year time since you turned 18, you've not had a job, you've never paid taxes or been anything close to resembling a productive member of society, except commit crimes and create victims," Cramer said. "I have no doubt that if this court did not take action to prevent it, that's exactly what your next decade would look like and consist of."
Cramer sentenced Jennewein to six years in prison for each count against him and ordered the sentences to run consecutively for a total sentence of 48 years. Jennewein will be eligible for parole after 12 years.
Prosecutor Rhonda Wade said she was satisfied with the outcome, noting she believes Jennewein's extensive criminal history played a part in his sentencing.
"Mr. Jennewein had a $1,000-per-month heroin habit, so it was very easy to see where this money was going. … He's never had a job, never had a bank account, never had a car," Wade said. "He lives off victims in this case. It's very easy to see how he's lived. It's no secret, sitting through this trial, to see his lifestyle," Wade said during the sentencing hearing.