Ron Welch
Muskingum County Prosecutor
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, September 14, 2026
COLUMBUS DRUG TRAFFICKER SENTENCED TO EIGHT YEARS IN PRISON
(ZANESVILLE, Ohio) — A Columbus man convicted by a Muskingum County jury of trafficking fentanyl and other drugs will spend eight years in prison.
On September 9, 2026, Chaise King appeared before Muskingum County Common Pleas Court Judge Kelly Cottrill and was sentenced to eight years in prison.
King was convicted by a jury on August 4 of eight felony drug offenses involving fentanyl, methamphetamine, buprenorphine, and cocaine.
The convictions included Trafficking in a Fentanyl-Related Compound, Possession of a Fentanyl-Related Compound, Aggravated Trafficking in Drugs involving methamphetamine, Aggravated Possession of Drugs involving methamphetamine, Trafficking in Drugs involving buprenorphine, Possession of Drugs involving buprenorphine, Trafficking in Drugs involving cocaine, and Possession of Drugs involving cocaine.
The jurors heard testimony that the driver and front-seat passenger had picked King up to purchase drugs.
THE INVESTIGATION
The case began with a traffic stop in January 2025 involving King and two other individuals.
Muskingum County Sheriff’s Deputies Alice and Simon observed King sitting in the back seat of the vehicle and reaching around the floorboard before deputies approached.
At trial, deputies testified that the driver and front-seat passenger had picked King up to purchase drugs from him.
Deputies located a container of drugs in the rear of the vehicle where King had been sitting. During a search of the area, deputies also discovered $298 in low denominations, scales and a fake firearm.
The money which in addition to the scales and fake firearm are commonly associated with the weighing and distribution of illegal drugs.
THE VERDICT
On August 4, a Muskingum County jury considered the evidence and found King guilty of all eight drug offenses.
Assistant Prosecutor Lucas Howard prosecuted the case on behalf of the State of Ohio.
King returned to court on September 9, where Judge Cottrill imposed an eight-year prison sentence.
ACCOUNTABILITY FOR DRUG TRAFFICKING
Muskingum County Prosecutor Ron Welch said the sentence demonstrates the distinction between individuals struggling with addiction and those who profit from selling dangerous drugs.
“There is a difference between someone struggling with addiction who is willing to accept help and someone who chooses to make money selling fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine, and other drugs in our community,” Welch said.
“We will continue working to provide appropriate treatment and diversion opportunities for people who are genuinely trying to overcome addiction. But those who choose to profit by bringing dangerous drugs into Muskingum County should expect to be prosecuted and, when the evidence supports it, sent to prison.”
“Fentanyl continues to take lives and devastate families. Selling it is not simply another way to make money. Drug traffickers make their profits by feeding an addiction that is destroying people, families, and communities. There must be consequences for that conduct.”
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