Ron Welch
Muskingum County Prosecutor
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, September 11, 2024
Zanesville Drug Dealer Who Committed Shooting Sentenced to Prison
A Zanesville man who ran a drug trafficking operation out of his house was sentenced to prison for his crimes.
Nicholas C. Schilling, 33, of Zanesville, appeared in Muskingum County Court of Common Pleas for sentencing.
On September 9, Schilling was sentenced by Judge Kelly Cottrill to serve 22 years in prison. Schilling will also pay $30,000 in fines and his firearms will be forfeited.
In July, Schilling was found guilty of multiple counts of felony possession and trafficking of a fentanyl-related compound, methamphetamine, and methylphenidate.
He was also found guilty of illegal assembly or possession of chemicals to manufacture drugs and felonious assault involving the use of a firearm.
On May 12, law enforcement officers responded to a report of a gunshot. People inside the house near where the gunshot was heard refused to speak with police.
Officers did not find any signs of a shooting or any victims.
On May 13, police received a tip that someone had been shot inside the house. Schilling was identified as the shooter.
On May 14, police began watching the house, and saw Colt Lightfoot entering.
On the previous day, May 13, Lightfoot stole a vehicle, fatally struck a motorcyclist while under the influence of illegal drugs, and sped away from the scene.
Police obtained a search warrant for Schilling’s house.
While searching Schilling’s house, police found drug paraphernalia and items used to manufacture drugs. Police found a large bag of narcotics. They also found bags filled with white crystals, digital scales, and several guns.
Police got a second search warrant and found more drugs and paraphernalia. A large bag filled with pink powder was discovered in an upstairs bedroom.
The powder was believed to be fentanyl. They also found a bag filled with unknown pills. Strips of suboxone, a street drug of abuse marketed as a treatment for opioid addiction, were also found.
Police found more bags containing crystal-like substances and pink powdery substances in Schilling’s bedroom. Lab testing confirmed that the bags contained methamphetamine and fentanyl.
The police were able to track down the shooting victim, Jeremiah Wilson, who was uncooperative. Wilson attempted to refuse medical care for his gunshot wound.
He was later treated at Genesis Hospital and released.
Text messages and phone calls on Schilling’s phone confirmed he contacted the victim after the shooting. Some of the texts advised Wilson to go to the hospital.
Schilling also sent and received messages about his drug trafficking activities to numerous people.
Muskingum County Assistant Prosecuting Attorney John Litle says drug dealers should expect to be punished for their crimes.
“Both Shilling and his victim are long-time dealers,” Litle said. “All drug dealing is violent, and they were no different. In this case, Jeremiah Wilson was shot, and Schilling is going to prison for two decades. Unfortunately, these outcomes can be expected.”
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