News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, December 19, 2025

Major Zanesville Drug Trafficker Sentenced 24 Years

Zanesville, OH-

Earlier this year a Muskingum County jury convicted Corey Whitehouse of fifteen (15) counts involving the manufacturing and trafficking of drugs. His convictions carried the possibility of fifty-four years of prison at sentencing.

Whitehouse was convicted of the following offenses:

• Trafficking in cocaine in the presence of a child, F2

• Possession of cocaine, F3

• Illegal Manufacturing of Cocaine in the presence of a child, F1

• Four counts of child endangering

• Trafficking in Fentanyl in the presence of a child, F1

• Possession of Fentanyl, F1

• Illegal Manufacturing of Fentanyl in the presence of a child F1

• Possession of cocaine, F5

• Four additional counts of child endangering

The jury also determined that Whitehouse would be required to forfeit two cars, a boat, a trailer, cash, a television and a DVR recorder.

Facts of the Case:

In May of 2023, members of the Zanesville / Muskingum County Drug Unit conducted a controlled buy of cocaine from Whitehouse at his Pine Street home. During the transaction, a baby was heard in the background when Whitehouse was caught manufacturing drugs.

Later, in 2025, the Zanesville Police Department Special Response Team served a search warrant obtained by the Zanesville/Muskingum County Drug Unit and CODE Task Force at Whitehouse’s residence on Pine Street. Whitehouse, his girlfriend, and their two children were located inside.

During a search of the home law enforcement recovered 65 grams of fentanyl, cocaine, blenders, cutting agents, mixing bowls, baggies, and other accessories used in the manufacturing of drugs. Jurors were also able to conclude from the evidence that Whitehouse trafficked, possessed, and manufactured fentanyl in the presence of children.



Court Details:

Whitehouse was represented by Columbus attorney Sterling Gill in the trial lasting two days. During the trial Whitehouse claimed that he was “entrapped,” which is a specific legal defense.

Assistant Prosecuting Attorney John Litle, who handled the case with APA Lucas Howard explained that by claiming he was entrapped, Whitehouse had to prove he was not already the kind of person who would commit this crime and that he was truly innocent of choosing to do so.

Jurors heard from Whitehouse’s associates that he dealt drugs every single day for at least the last two years. This evidence proved Whitehouse had been caught, not entrapped.

Whitehouse testified in his own defense, during which time he admitted that he sold the drugs, possessed the fentanyl, fathered the children present, and knew how to manufacture crack and fentanyl.



The Sentencing:

The State requested a sentence of fifty-four (54) years of imprisonment for Whitehouse who has twice previously been convicted for cases involving sex offenses against minors, in addition to his previous felony drug and violence convictions. The State highlighted the minimal sentences handed down, repeatedly, to Whitehouse over the course of his lifetime of criminality.

After Attorney Gill was suspended from the practice of law, Judge Cottrill appointed another attorney to stand in for sentencing on Monday.

Whitehouse’s newly appointed attorney asked for a sentence of 25 years in prison.

Judge Cottrill sentenced Whitehouse to 24 years in prison for the justice-involved individual.

“While 24 years is a lengthy sentence, the State is disappointed. Considering the severity and number of convictions from the current case and the defendant’s terrible criminal record, we felt a maximum sentence was deserved and necessary to protect the public.” according to Litle. “In our system of justice juries determine who is guilty, the legislature sets sentencing ranges, and responsibility for the sentence is in the hands of the judge.”

“Once again, local law enforcement and the Muskingum County Prosecutor’s Office have worked together to successfully remove yet another drug dealing, career criminal, from our community,” added Prosecutor Ron Welch. “Another win for the law-abiding citizens of our county and another loss for the criminal community.”

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