ZANESVILLE, Ohio (AVC News) — A Muskingum County jury has convicted a repeat drug offender on multiple felony drug trafficking and possession charges following a one-day trial.
Muskingum County Prosecutor Ron Welch announced that Chaise King was found guilty Tuesday on all charges, including trafficking and possession of fentanyl, methamphetamine, buprenorphine, and cocaine.
The convictions include second-degree felony charges for trafficking and possession of methamphetamine, third-degree felony charges for trafficking and possession of fentanyl, and fifth-degree felony charges for trafficking and possession of buprenorphine and cocaine.
According to prosecutors, the case stemmed from a January 2025 traffic stop conducted by Muskingum County Sheriff’s deputies Alice and Simon. Investigators testified they observed King, who was seated in the back of the vehicle, making suspicious movements toward the floorboards before deputies approached.
Evidence presented at trial showed the driver and front-seat passenger had picked up King to purchase drugs from him. Deputies discovered a container of drugs in the rear seating area where King had been sitting, along with scales and a fake firearm. Prosecutors said digital scales are commonly associated with drug trafficking.
Jurors also heard testimony from one of the vehicle’s occupants, who prosecutors said is now in recovery from drug addiction and described the events leading up to the traffic stop.
King faces up to 13 years in prison when he is sentenced at a later date. Prosecutors said he could receive additional prison time because he was on post-release control following a 2018 conviction for possessing a large quantity of drugs, for which he served a mandatory six-year prison sentence.
“Drug possession cases involving multiple people in a car can sometimes be challenging because everyone tries to blame someone else for having the drugs, but this case was well investigated by law enforcement and well presented by Assistant Prosecutor Lucas Howard,” Welch said.
Howard also praised the deputies’ investigation, saying their detailed reports and testimony helped the jury reach guilty verdicts on all counts.
Last Updated on August 6, 2026 by AVC News
