GALLIPOLIS — Douglas R. Blake was sentenced to 15 years in prison in Gallia County Common Pleas Court Thursday morning in connection with the January slaying of Gallipolis resident Ralph N. Sands.

Blake, 27, 117 Fourth Ave., Gallipolis, pled guilty to reckless homicide and aggravated burglary on Aug. 12, however the court record was sealed immediately afterwards. In court Thursday, Blake was sentenced to five years of incarceration for aggravated burglary and ten years of incarceration for reckless homicide. Both sentences are to run consecutively.

In exchange for his guilty plea, the state agreed to drop counts three and four, abduction and receiving stolen property. In addition, Blake agreed to cooperate with the prosecution and voluntarily testify against co-defendant Joshua D. Saunders Jr., if requested by the state.

Saunders, 25, 381 Buck Ridge Road, Apartment 87, Bidwell, pled guilty to a charge of murder on Aug. 26 after his trial was continued in light of “significant damming discovery,” presumed to be Blake’s plea deal and agreement to testify against him.

Sands was discovered in his Fourth Avenue home on Jan. 13 by a neighbor who noticed his door was ajar. He was found face down on his couch with his hands tied behind his back.

According to the death certificate, he died of asphyxiation. The autopsy revealed that Sands had chronic obstructive lung disease, making it difficult for him to breathe and when he ended up on face down on the couch, he couldn’t get enough oxygen, which caused his death.

Saunders’ sentencing is scheduled today at 2:30 p.m.