A former Greenville man who riding in a car loaded with marijuana plants was sentenced Friday to 18 months to 3 years in jail.

Justin Walker, 20, of Kinsman was arrested Aug. 24 after police, acting on a tip, searched the car in which he was riding.

Inside it, Greenville-West Salem Township police found 64 freshly picked marijuana plants, a BB rifle and a BB pistol.

Both Walker and driver Jonathan Hovis, 19, of 5 E. Ridge Ave., Greenville, were charged with possession and possession with intent to deliver marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of prohibited offensive weapons and conspiracy, police said.

Walker admitted to owning 30 of the marijuana plants and Nov. 5 entered a guilty plea to the manufacturing of those plants .

At the time of his arrest, Walker was on parole for possession with intent to deliver marijuana .

"He is young and has made several mistakes," public defender Dana Flick told Mercer County Common Pleas Judge Thomas R. Dobson. "This is the largest mistake he's ever made."

Flick said his client had psychiatric problems and problems with drug dependence.

"Your prior offense record is extensive for a man your age ... You have a lot of growing up to do," Dobson told Walker. "You have to get your own life together. Your old friends are no longer your friends. They got you into this."

Dobson encouraged Walker to keep in contact with his young son during his incarceration, and said one of the harshest effects of crimes is the impact on criminals' families.

Walker received credit for 132 days served and will be eligible for the boot camp program.

Hovis, who owned the car, is scheduled for the January trial term.

You can e-mail Herald Staff Writer Amanda Smith-Teutsch at: ateutsch@sharonherald.com