Ron Welch
Muskingum County Prosecutor
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, September 29, 2026
Repeat Offender Sentenced to Five Additional Years In Prison for Muskingum County Crimes
(ZANESVILLE, Ohio) — A repeat offender currently serving prison time for a Franklin County theft has been sentenced to five additional years in prison for crimes committed in Muskingum County.
Michael Riggle, 50, of Reynoldsburg, appeared before Muskingum County Common Pleas Court Judge Kelly Cottrill for sentencing in two separate cases involving burglary, theft, tampering with evidence, and drug offenses.
Judge Cottrill ordered Riggle's five-year sentence to be served consecutively to the prison term he is currently serving for his Franklin County theft conviction.
Riggle's criminal history includes prior convictions for burglary, theft, breaking and entering, forgery, possession of drug abuse instruments, and drug abuse.
THE GENERATOR THEFT
In September 2025, Riggle rented a Ford F-150 and used the vehicle during the theft of two Honda generators from a local business.
Video surveillance captured Riggle getting out of the F-150, entering the business, and later returning to the truck with the two generators.
The generators were equipped with Apple AirTags, which investigators later discovered abandoned at a different location.
Riggle was convicted of Burglary, Theft, and Tampering with Evidence.
DRUGS HIDDEN INSIDE A FLASHLIGHT
Riggle's second case began in May 2025 when Muskingum County Sheriff's Deputy Garrett Frederici stopped a Honda Accord after observing a traffic violation.
During the encounter, Deputy Frederici observed that Riggle appeared extremely nervous and gave conflicting accounts about his travels.
When asked to exit the vehicle, Riggle told deputies that there was a glass narcotics pipe inside the vehicle and drugs hidden inside a flashlight.
Deputies recovered the pipe, two used syringes, and two flashlights.
Inside one of the flashlights, deputies discovered substances subsequently analyzed and confirmed to contain 4.15 grams of methamphetamine and .27 grams of Dipentylone, a man-made stimulant.
Riggle was convicted of two counts of Aggravated Possession of Drugs, Possessing Drug Abuse Instruments, and Illegal Use or Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
“Like Mr. Riggle, those committing crimes in Muskingum County should expect to be held accountable for each and every crime committed,” Assistant Prosecutor Warren Edwards, who handled the cases, said.
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