Ron Welch
Muskingum County Prosecutor
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, September 4, 2026
COLUMBUS MAN ON PROBATION IN FRANKLIN COUNTY CONVICTED OF SEVEN FELONIES IN MUSKINGUM COUNTY DRUG TRAFFICKING CASE
ZANESVILLE, OH — A Columbus man already on probation was convicted of seven felony offenses Wednesday afternoon following a two-day jury trial in Muskingum County Common Pleas Court.
Vintrel Cloud, 26, was found guilty by a Muskingum County jury following testimony presented before Judge Gerald Anderson.
At the time of the offenses, Cloud was on probation in Franklin County. Judge Chris Brown placed Cloud on probation in relation to a Columbus gangland shooting. His prior criminal record includes convictions or adjudications involving two stolen vehicles, two aggravated robberies, and two additional cases in which he was illegally armed with firearms.
THE INVESTIGATION
The case began in June 2024 when Muskingum County Sheriff’s Deputy Austin Alice conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle in the Fultonham area of Muskingum County. Cloud was a passenger in the vehicle.
During the stop, Deputy Alice discovered a case containing a large quantity of drugs.
Cloud was also found in possession of a digital scale. Investigators discovered the lid to the scale inside the case containing the drugs.
Although Cloud denied that the drugs belonged to him, the investigation did not end at the traffic stop.
Investigators obtained a search warrant for Cloud’s cellphone. Texts messages recovered from the phone detail Cloud’s ongoing sales of methamphetamine, cocaine, and fentanyl.
Digital evidence recovered pursuant to a search warrant can provide investigators with important evidence of criminal activity that may not be apparent from physical evidence alone. In this case, evidence obtained from Cloud’s phone helped establish his involvement in the sale of multiple dangerous drugs and deadly drugs.
THE VERDICT
After hearing two days of testimony and considering the evidence presented in court, the Muskingum County jury convicted Cloud of all seven felony counts.
Assistant Prosecutors John Litle and Jahan Karamali prosecuted the case on behalf of the State of Ohio.
“Muskingum County jurors continue to prove that they will show up, do the hard work, and hold the guilty accountable,” Litle said.
Litle also had a message for drug traffickers who travel to Muskingum County believing they can profit from selling dangerous drugs here.
“Cloud’s experience should stand as a warning to other out-of-town drug dealers who believe they can make a quick buck selling drugs in our county.”
Cloud faces more than 13 years in prison. He will be sentenced at a later date.
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