MasonBuzz.com

Sue Kiesewetter reports:

Warren County residents can safely dispose of unwanted or expired medications April 27 during the National Prescription Drug Take Back.

This is the sixth take-back day since the Drug Enforcement Administration began the program in 2010. Thirteen sites in Butler County will accept medications.

“When we first started doing this, we knew there was a need. We knew this was a service that needed to be provided,’’ said Rusty Payne, DEA spokesman. “What we didn’t realize was the amazing results we were going to get.”

Since the program began in September, 2010, residents across the country have turned in more than two million pounds – 244 tons – of prescription and over-the-counter medications.

The DEA partners with local law enforcement agencies to find sites where medications can be dropped off and collected. Take back days have been scheduled about every six months, Payne said.

They will continue until federal disposal regulations are established and a more permanent solution can be found, Payne said.

Medications and over-the-counter drugs can be turned in from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with no questions asked. Labels can be soaked off, medications can be placed in bags, or residents can black out names and prescription numbers to remain anonymous.

They can be turned in at the following locations in Warren County:

• Warren County jail lobby, 550 Justice Dr., Lebanon
• Springboro Police Department, 320 W. Central Ave.
• Hamilton Township Fire Station 77, 2000 E. U.S. 22/Ohio 3

Posted in: Events |

Tags: Tags: drugs, medications, national prescription drug take back, warren county

Janice Morse reports:

A Cincinnati man has been sentenced to eight years in prison for his role in a drug-trafficking organization that supplied marijuana to students in two Warren County school districts, the Warren County Prosecutor’s Office said in a news release today.

“Allen Honeycutt and his co-conspirators made hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of dollars trafficking drugs to our young people. It is particularly satisfying to see him have to answer for his despicable actions,” said Prosecutor David Fornshell in a news release.

Allen Honeycutt. Photo: Warren County Jail

A Warren County jury on Thursday convicted Honeycutt, 59, on charges of trafficking, possession of marijuana, cultivation of marijuana, possession of criminal tools, and engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity. Common Pleas Court Judge Robert Peeler sentenced him to serve a mandatory eight years in prison and pay fines totaling $17,500. Honeycutt must also serve five years on probation after he gets out of prison.

Honeycutt was the last suspect facing charges among seven adults and a Mason High School teen, Tyler Pagenstecher, in an organization that was supplying marijuana to students in the Mason and Kings school districts, Fornshell said.

The case against Honeycutt has been ongoing since a year ago, when a Warren County grand jury returned a five-count indictment against him.

In an investigation of the drug ring, investigators had found three indoor growing operations that produced high-grade marijuana that the organization sold throughout southwest Ohio, Fornshell said.

Officers seized 600 marijuana plants, more than $100,000 in cash, and several hundred grams of harvested marijuana. The marijuana was worth an estimated $2.9 million. Investigators traced the network to Pagenstecher, who is serving at least six months in a state juvenile facility for trafficking in drugs.

Fornshell called Pagenstecher “the primary source for marijuana for students in the Mason school district, and a significant source of marijuana for students in the Kings school district.”

Posted in: Crime, News |

Tags: Tags: allen honeycutt, busted, crime, david fornshell, drug trafficking, drugs, kings, marijuana, mason, mason high school, mason schools, police, pot, ring, setenced, tyler pagenstecher, warren county drug task force, warren county juvenile court

A routine traffic stop in Mason on Nov. 17 resulted in the seizure of 226 grams of marijuana worth about $375. Troopers arrested the driver, Clifford Justin Abner, 29, of Carlisle. Photo provided/OHSP

A routine traffic stop in Mason this weekend resulted in a drug bust and one man in jail.

Ohio State Highway Patrol says it pulled over a 1997 Ford Thunderbird on Mason-Morrow-Milgrove Road near U.S. 42 around 2:49 p.m. Saturday for a speed violation.

Troopers say they detected a strong odor of marijuana from the vehicle’s passenger compartment.

Upon a search of the vehicle, troopers discovered a Ziploc baggie under the driver’s seat containing three compressed chunks of marijuana weighing about 226 grams. The drug’s street value is estimated at $375, reports the OSHP.

Clifford Justin Abner, 29, of Carlisle, was arrested and charged with possession of marijuana, a fifth-degree felony.  If convicted, he faces up to 12 months in prison and a $2,500 fine.

Posted in: Crime, News |

Tags: Tags: carlisle, clifford justin abner, crime, drug bust, drugs, marijuana, mason, ohio state highway patrol, traffic stop

More than 600 marijuana plants valued at $5,000 with a street value of $3 million were seized in the investigation.

Paul McKibben reports:

The former Mason High School student involved in a potential $3 million marijuana ring was sentenced to at least six months at the Ohio Department of Youth Services this morning in Warren County Juvenile Court.

In July, then 17-year-old Tyler Pagenstecher pleaded guilty to two fourth-degree felony counts of trafficking in drugs.

• Photos: Hydroponic marijuana growing operation busted

Pagenstecher is no longer attending Mason High School and won’t be attending the school in the future, according to the Tracey Carson, spokeswoman for the Mason City School District. She said via email the case has not resulted in any policy changes, noting the district’s policies “address student drug use and possession effectively.”

“Our hope and expectation is that Mason City Schools will continue to do all we can to keep our schools and students safe from the dangers of drug use,” she said.

Pagenstecher turned 18 on Oct 7. He was not charged as an adult.

The Warren County Drug Task Force uncovered the ring, which officials say grew high-grade hydroponic marijuana from a Blue Ash furniture warehouse and houses in Norwood and Hamilton.

A Warren County grand jury indicted seven adults in the case. Authorities seized more than 600 marijuana plants valued at $5,000 with a $3 million street value.

Pagenstecher was the primary source of marijuana for students in the Mason district and a significant source of the drug at the Kings Local School District.

Authorities found $6,000 in Pagenstecher’s bedroom while executing a search warrant. They say the teen dealt about $20,000 of marijuana per month but he never sold on school property.

Posted in: Crime, News |

Tags: Tags: busted, crime, drug trafficking, drugs, kings, marijuana, mason, mason high school, mason schools, police, pot, ring, tyler pagenstecher, warren county drug task force, warren county juvenile court

More than 600 marijuana plants valued at $5,000 with a street value of $3 million were seized in the investigation.

Paul McKibben and Michael D. Clark report:

The former Mason High School student involved in a potential $3 million marijuana ring is expected to be sentenced this morning in Warren County Juvenile Court.

In July, then 17-year-old Tyler Pagenstecher pleaded guilty to one fourth degree felony count of trafficking in drugs.

Pagenstecher is no longer attending Mason High School and won’t be attending the school in the future, according to the Tracey Carson, spokeswoman for the Mason City School District. She said via email the case has not resulted in any policy changes, noting the district’s policies “address student drug use and possession effectively.”

“Our hope and expectation is that Mason City Schools will continue to do all we can to keep our schools and students safe from the dangers of drug use,” she said.

Pagenstecher turned 18 on Oct 7. He was not charged as an adult.

The Warren County Drug Task Force uncovered the ring who officials say grew high-grade hydroponic marijuana from a Blue Ash furniture warehouse and houses in Norwood and Hamilton.

A Warren County grand jury indicted seven adults in the case. Authorities seized more than 600 marijuana plants valued at $5,000 with a $3 million street value.

Pagenstecher was the primary source of marijuana for students in the Mason district and a significant source of the drug at the Kings Local School District.

Authorities found $6,000 in Pagenstecher’s bedroom while executing a search warrant. They say the teen dealt about $20,000 of marijuana per month but he never sold on school property.

Posted in: Crime, News |

Tags: Tags: busted, crime, drug trafficking, drugs, guilty, kings, marijuana, mason, mason high school, mason schools, police, pot, ring, sentencing, tracey carson, tyler pagenstecher, warren county drug task force, warren county juvenile court

More than 600 marijuana plants valued at $5,000 with a street value of $3 million were seized in the investigation.

The Associated Press

Sentencing has been delayed for a 17-year-old Mason High School student who authorities called one of the most prolific drug dealers in the Cincinnati area.

Warren County Juvenile Court Judge Mike Powell rescheduled Tuesday’s sentencing of Tyler Pagenstecher of Mason to Oct. 22. The teen is accused of taking part in $3 million marijuana ring.

The move came at the request of Pagenstecher’s attorney. He told the judge that the teen was doing well in an “intensive” substance abuse program that ends Oct. 11, and he wanted him to continue the treatment uninterrupted.

Pagenstecher has pleaded guilty to drug-trafficking charges and faces imprisonment in a juvenile jail until he turns 21.

Authorities say he played a major role in a drug ring that sold as much as $20,000 worth of high-grade marijuana a month to fellow high school students in and around Mason.

Posted in: Crime, News |

Tags: Tags: busted, crime, delayed, drug trafficking, drugs, kings, marijuana, mason, mason high school, mason schools, mike powell, police, pot, ring, sentencing, tyler pagenstecher, warren county drug task force, warren county juvenile court

The Enquirer

State and Warren County authorities said last Friday they stopped a vehicle on Interstate 71 near the Warren-Clinton County line where five Columbus area residents were transporting heroin and OxyContin.

Authorities seized 1,050 80-milligram OxyContin pills and 400 doses of heroin from the vehicle. They said the occupants told them they were traveling from Florida to Columbus. The OxyContin would carry a street value of more than $100,000 in most jurisdictions, officials said. The street value of the heroin was estimated at $4,000 to $5,000.

Arrested on various felony drug charges were Ruth Colter, 42; Gerald Weber, 36; Keith Laney, 28; Derek Caldwell, 30 and Glenn Fetherston Jr., 51.

The arrests were announced Tuesday.

Posted in: Crime, News |

Tags: Tags: crime, drugs, heroin, i-71, oxycontin, seized, warren county, warren county sheriff's office

Jennifer Edwards Baker reports:

A Mason High School senior accused of being a key player in a $3 million marijuana ring pleaded guilty to both of the charges he faced during his first appearance in Warren County Juvenile Court.

Tyler Pagenstecher, 17, was arraigned at 4 p.m. on two felony counts of drug trafficking.

Warren County law enforcement officials have said the teen dealt marijuana to local students for nearly three years and was suspected of selling some $20,000 of the drug each month.

If convicted, he could spend the next three years in a state juvenile detention center. He turns 18 in three months.

His arrest was part of the Warren County Drug Task Force’s year-long investigation into high-profile targets allegedly growing high-grade hydroponic marijuana in houses in Norwood and Hamilton, and in a furniture warehouse in Blue Ash.

Authorities have said the teen had at least six current and former Mason High School students working under him and was the primary source for marijuana for students in the Mason and Kings school districts. School officials have stressed the drug was not sold on school grounds.

Seven adults also were indicted in the case.

Posted in: Crime, News |

Tags: Tags: busted, crime, drug trafficking, drugs, guilty, kings, marijuana, mason, mason high school, mason schools, police, pot, ring, tyler pagenstecher, warren county drug task force, warren county juvenile court

Jennifer Edwards Baker reports:

A Mason High School senior accused of being a key player in a $3 million marijuana ring will make his first appearance today in Warren County Juvenile Court.

Tyler Pagenstecher, 17, will be arraigned at 4 p.m. on two felony counts of drug trafficking.

Warren County law enforcement officials have said the teen dealt marijuana to local students for nearly three years and was suspected of selling some $20,000 of the drug each month.

If convicted, he could spend the next three years in a state juvenile detention center. He turns 18 in three months.

His arrest was part of the Warren County Drug Task Force’s year-long investigation into high-profile targets allegedly growing high-grade hydroponic marijuana in houses in Norwood and Hamilton, and in a furniture warehouse in Blue Ash.

Authorities have said the teen had at least six current and former Mason High School students working under him and was the primary source for marijuana for students in the Mason and Kings school districts. School officials have stressed the drug was not sold on school grounds.

Seven adults also were indicted in the case.

Posted in: Crime, News |

Tags: Tags: busted, crime, drug trafficking, drugs, kings, marijuana, mason, mason high school, mason schools, police, pot, ring, tyler pagenstecher, warren county drug task force, warren county juvenile court

Paul McKibben reports:

Ohio and Warren County authorities announced Monday they’ve uncovered a clandestine methamphetamine manufacturing ring.

Last Friday, a Warren County grand jury indicted 10 people on numerous felony drug charges in connection with the case.

Authorities said they first became aware of the ring in late 2010. They said area pharmacists gave the initial information about the ring, reporting to officials that they saw “suspicious behavior involving the purchase of (the drug) pseudoephedrine.” The drug is a key ingredient in making methamphetamine. The drug is used to treat allergies, hay fever and colds.

In July 2011, Morrow police found a secret methamphetamine lab in the village. Another lab was found in Salem Township.

Those indicted were Susan Wright, 40, of Morrow; Christopher Meece, 36, of Morrow; Brittany Burke, 21, of Morrow; Zora Kratzer, 57, of Morrow; Arizona Schearing, 38, of Morrow; Jason Culbreth, 35, of Goshen; Stacy Garrett, 31, of Milford; Mick Gauden, 27, of Blanchester; Robbie Duncan, 30, of Milford and Charles Burke, 34, of Morrow.

Posted in: Crime, News, Warren County |

Tags: Tags: busted, crime, drugs, manufacturing, meth ring, methamphetamine, morrow police, pseudoephedrine, salem township, warren county, warren county drug task force