ZANESVILLE, Ohio (AVC News) — A Columbus man convicted of eight felony drug offenses in Muskingum County has been sentenced to eight years in prison.
Chaise King appeared Sept. 9 before Muskingum County Common Pleas Court Judge Kelly Cottrill, who imposed the eight-year prison sentence.
A Muskingum County jury found King guilty Aug. 4 of eight felony offenses involving fentanyl, methamphetamine, buprenorphine and cocaine.
The convictions included trafficking in a fentanyl-related compound, possession of a fentanyl-related compound, aggravated trafficking in drugs involving methamphetamine, aggravated possession of drugs involving methamphetamine, trafficking in drugs involving buprenorphine, possession of drugs involving buprenorphine, trafficking in drugs involving cocaine and possession of drugs involving cocaine.
The case began with a traffic stop in January 2025 involving King and two other people.
According to testimony presented at trial, Muskingum County Sheriff’s deputies Alice and Simon observed King sitting in the back seat of the vehicle and reaching toward the floorboard before deputies approached.
Deputies testified that the driver and front-seat passenger had picked King up to purchase drugs from him.
A container of drugs was found in the rear of the vehicle where King had been sitting. Deputies also found $298 in cash in low denominations, scales and a fake firearm during a search of the area.
The prosecutor’s office said the cash, scales and firearm were consistent with the weighing and distribution of illegal drugs.
Assistant Prosecutor Lucas Howard prosecuted the case for the State of Ohio.
Following the jury’s verdict, King returned to court Sept. 9 for sentencing.
Muskingum County Prosecutor Ron Welch said the case demonstrates a distinction between people struggling with addiction and those who sell illegal drugs for profit.
“There is a difference between someone struggling with addiction who is willing to accept help and someone who chooses to make money selling fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine, and other drugs in our community,” Welch said.
Welch said his office will continue to support treatment and diversion opportunities for people who are genuinely working to overcome addiction, while pursuing prison sentences when supported by the evidence for those who traffic dangerous drugs.
“Fentanyl continues to take lives and devastate families,” Welch said. “Selling it is not simply another way to make money. Drug traffickers make their profits by feeding an addiction that is destroying people, families, and communities. There must be consequences for that conduct.”
Last Updated on September 14, 2026 by AVC News
