Woman who helped distribute 99,000 pills sentenced to prison

Shelly Schultz | Zanesville Times Recorder

ZANESVILLE - A woman accused of receiving Tramadol pills from India and redistributing them in the United States was sentenced to three years in prison this week.

Laticia Debolt, 27, pleaded guilty in April to trafficking in drugs and engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, both second-degree felonies.

In October 2016, Muskingum County Sheriff's detectives were contacted by the inspection agency with the U.S. Postal Service, who had been contacted by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security about a package of 2,500 Tramadol pills that was intercepted while en route to a residence on South River Road in Blue Rock.

After the package was seized, the Muskingum County/Zanesville City Join Drug Unit, Central Ohio Drug Enforcement Task Force and the US Postal Inspector's Agency began investigating Debolt and Richard Maurer, both residents of 8178 South River Road, where the package was being sent.

In December, another package containing 2,500 Tramadol pills was intercepted by authorities, leading to a search warrant at the Blue Rock residence.

By January 2017, authorities uncovered an elaborate illegal drug trafficking scheme where large amounts of Tramadol pills were being shipped into Muskingum County.

In all, authorities say the couple distributed about 99,000 Tramadol pills with a street value of $400,000.

Maurer pleaded guilty to trafficking in drugs and engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, both second-degree felonies, and having a weapon while under disability, a third-degree felony. He was sentenced to eight years in prison in May.

Judge Mark Fleegle

Jesse R. Bocook, 32, Zanesville was placed on community control for two years for one count tampering with evidence, a third-degree felony, two counts possession of drugs, both fifth-degree felonies, one count possession of drugs, a first-degree misdemeanor, one count of possession of drug paraphernalia, a fourth-degree misdemeanor, and obstruction of official business, a second-degree misdemeanor.

Lakida A. Woods, 37, Zanesville, was placed on community control for one year, for a prosecutor's bill of information on one count of attempted endangering children, a fourth-degree felony.

Mark A. Vohs, 38, Zanesville, was sentenced to 12 months in prison for having weapons while under disability, a third-degree felony, and improper handling of a firearm in a motor vehicle, a fourth-degree felony.

Tony L. Smith, 54, Zanesville, was sentenced to six years is prison for two counts of aggravated vehicular assault, both second-degree felonies, two counts of aggravated assault, both third-degree felonies, one count of OVI, a first-degree misdemeanor.

Judge Kelly J. Cottrill

Kyle Mohler, 43, Zanesville, was sentenced to two years in prison for two counts of having a weapon while under disability, a third-degree felony.

Nathan J. Tate, 25, Zanesville, was sentenced to five years in prison for possession of drugs, a first-degree felony.

Derek L. Baldwin, 33, homeless, was sentenced to 15 years in prison and will have to register as a Tier II sex offender for three counts of attempted unlawful sexual conduct with a minor, all fourth-degree felonies, six counts of importuning, a fifth-degree felony, attempted corrupting another with drugs, a third-degree felony, 18 counts of pandering sexually oriented matter involving a minor, a second-degree felony, and tampering with evidence, a third-degree felony.

Sheena A. Burch, 31, Zanesville, was sentenced to three years community control and must successfully complete treatment in Guernsey County for possession of drugs and tampering with evidence, both third-degree felonies.

Lisa D. Starner, 25, homeless, was sentenced to nine months in prison for possession of drugs, a fifth-degree felony, and possession of drug paraphernalia, a fourth-degree felony.

Joshua J. Huffman, 41, Zanesville, was sentenced to 10 months in prison for possession of drugs, a fifth-degree felony.

Cody S. George, 20, Zanesville, was sentenced to two years community control for possession of drugs, a fifth-degree felony, theft, a first-degree misdemeanor, possession of drug paraphernalia, a fourth-degree felony, resisting arrest, a second-degree misdemeanor, attempted illegal conveyance of drugs, a fourth-degree felony.

cschultz3@gannett.com

740-450-6758

Twitter: @infoobtainer1