News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, November 10, 2022

Zanesville repeat drug trafficker sentenced to up to 3 decades in prison

A Zanesville man convicted by jurors as a major drug dealer was sentenced by Judge Kelly Cottrill to up to three decades in prison for his crimes.

John "Tommy" Thompkins received a sentence of 26 to 30-and-a-half years in prison for drug trafficking.

The case against Thompkins was part of a broader investigation into his supplier, Rodriquez S. Hampton, 35, also of Zanesville. To catch Hampton, detectives closely surveilled Thompkins’ drug trafficking activity, and Thompkins’ actions ultimately led them to the larger target. Hampton pleaded guilty late last month and requested that the Court sentence him to 20 years in prison.

In Court, Assistant Prosecutor John Litle, who handled the case, described Hampton’s co-offender, Thompkins, as “being almost pathologically incapable of accepting responsibility.” Litle pointed out that rehabilitation cannot occur until one has accepted responsibility for their behavior. During his opportunity to speak, Thompkins continued to deny that he did anything wrong, despite how quickly the jury convicted him.

Thompkins' attorney asked the Court to consider his age, 55, prior to imposing a prison sanction.

Judge Cottrill pressed Thompkins about his recent release from prison from a different case of selling narcotics and having guns. Thompkins ultimately asked for an attorney to be appointed to represent him in his appeal.

Thompkins will begin his sentence immediately, as well as forfeit cash and a vehicle he was using to sell drugs.

The case stands as yet another in a long series of successes for the Zanesville / Muskingum County Joint Drug Unit and the Central Ohio Drug Enforcement Task Force.

This sentence demonstrates the serious consequences of committing crime in Muskingum County, a community with high standards of behavior.

###
Follow the Muskingum County Prosecutor’s Office on Facebook for the most current and complete information.