SIDNEY — A man charged with the death of an inmate in the Shelby County Jail received the maximium sentence allowed by law Tuesday in Shelby County’s Court of Common Pleas.

Cameron Wilkins, 24, of Sidney, was indicted on one count of involuntary manslaughter and one count illegal conveyance of prohibited item onto the grounds of a detention facility in March following the death of Jacob Lewis, 28, of Sidney, who was found unresponsive in his jail cell on Feb. 15. He was pronounced dead at the scene by medics, and the coroner’s report stated that Lewis has carfentanil, fentanyl, acryfentanyl, norfentanyl and nordiazepam in his system.

Due to a plea deal, Wilkins was sentenced to three years in prison for the amended charge of reckless homicide, but expressed regret to Judge James Stevenson.

“I’m very sorry,” he said. “I accept the responsibility. I realize what I did was wrong.”

His defense attorney, Christian Cavalier, concurred.

“This is obviously not an intentional act,” he said. “It was clearly a situation where he was addicted to drugs, the victim who passed away was addicted to drugs … it’s tragic.”

He alleged that the presence of Wilkins’ family at the sentencing was proof they would keep him out of trouble if and when he is released from jail.

The father of the deceased inmate, Steve Lewis, also spoke to the judge, and asked him to not be swayed by the defense.

“He’s been let out on probation over and over and over again, and every time, he goes right back to the things he’s been doing,” Lewis said. “His defense attorney just said his family is here to support him. I understand that: that’s their son. But if you would take the time to look at the statement’s they’ve made … it’s not support, it’s condoning the acts that he’s done.”

Lewis also asked for the judge to punish Wilkins to the full extent of his power.

“Society saw a junkie die – that’s it. To me, he was my son,” Lewis said. “You guys have already devalued his life by knocking charges down with a plea deal. Now I’m asking you not to devalue his life anymore by making them right. By making everyone feel like (Wilkins) did nothing wrong by giving him a slap on the wrist.”

Wilkins has violated probation three times for various sentences.