Ron Welch
Muskingum County Prosecutor
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, May 29, 2026
Zanesville Fentanyl Dealer Sentenced to 13 Years
(ZANESVILLE, OH)
On May 18, 2026, Jon Tate, 34, appeared in the Muskingum County Court of Common Pleas to be sentenced for charges that stem from a Central Ohio Drug Enforcement Task Force (CODE) investigation centralized around Tate’s drug trafficking.
Tate’s criminal history includes prior convictions and prison time served for permitting drug abuse, possession of drugs, resisting arrest, and drug paraphernalia. At the time of the crime Tate was on post-release control with the adult parole authority for possession of drugs.
Tate had previously admitted guilt to the following charges: two counts of Trafficking in a Fentanyl-Related Compound with a Firearm Specification (Felonies of the Third Degree), six counts of Having Weapons While Under Disability (Felonies of the Third Degree), one count of Possession of a Fentanyl-Related Compound (Felony of the Fifth Degree) and one count of Vandalism with a Firearm Specification (Felony of the Fifth Degree).
Tate appeared before Judge Kelly Cottrill who imposed the thirteen (13) year prison term.
Details of the Case:
Earlier this year a drug related search warrant was executed on Tate’s home by the Special Response Team (SRT) for both the Zanesville Police Department and the Muskingum County Sheriff’s Office. The SRT made several announcements over loudspeakers that there was a search warrant for the residence. After some time passed and no response was received the front door of the residence was breached.
A drone pilot then began flying inside the residence. As the drone made its way up the stairs Tate began throwing items at the drone before finally grabbing the drone and breaking it.
Tate then exited the residence and was placed into custody. During the search of the residence officers recovered several firearms and a bag of white powder that later tested positive for fentanyl.
“Fentanyl dealers represent a great danger to any community they choose to peddle their poison into,” according to Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Lucas Howard, who handled the case. “Fortunately, in Muskingum County, individuals who choose to deal poison should expect to be caught and face serious consequences.”
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