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Alleged marijuana grower Justin Baker, who authorities said was part of the supply chain that distributed the drug to high school students in Mason and Kings districts, will be set free after his conviction was overturned on June 10, 2013. / Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction

Sheila McLaughlin reports:

A Warren County man who was part of the supply chain for marijuana sales at Mason and Kings high schools will be freed from prison after the Ohio 12th District Court of Appeals threw out his conviction.

Justin Baker, who was serving a mandatory 8-year sentence, was accused of growing marijuana at two homes in Butler County and a warehouse in Blue Ash that eventually found its way to Mason High School teen Tyler Pagenstecher for distribution to students.

Authorities described it as a potential $3 million business.

The 12th District ruled that none of Baker’s alleged crimes occurred in Warren County and that he should have been tried in either Butler or Hamilton counties.

Prosecutors contended that Baker, 32, engaged in a pattern of corrupt activity involving other dealers and growers. Appellate judges, however, said prosecutors did not prove the marijuana Baker sold through a series of growers or dealers identified in the alleged ring ever made it to Pagenstecher for distribution in Warren County.

The appellate judges noted their ruling resulted in a “distasteful outcome” because Baker legally cannot be tried again for the same crimes.

Baker, who was one of seven adults charged in the case, had waived a jury and was tried and convicted of 10 felony charges before Warren County Common Pleas Judge Robert Peeler.

Warren County Prosecutor David Fornshell said he is reviewing the ruling and may file an appeal to the Ohio Supreme Court.

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Tags: Tags: 12th district court of appeals, appeal, david fornshell, drugs, justin baker, kings, marijuana, mason high school, tyler pagenstecher, warren count

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

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:

A Mason High School student accused of taking part in a potential $3 million drug ring will appear in court in two weeks.

As of Tuesday afternoon, Tyler Pagenstecher was not in Warren County’s juvenile detention center. His arraignment is 4 p.m. July 31 in Warren County Juvenile Court.

He is charged with two felony counts of trafficking in drugs.

Warren County law enforcement officials say Pagenstecher, an upperclassman at Mason High School , headed up a $3 million drug ring that for nearly three years doled out pot to local students and was suspected of selling about $20,000 of the drug each month.

Just three months shy of turning 18, Pagenstecher is not being charged as an adult. If convicted, he could spend the next three years in a state juvenile detention center.

He was expected to turn himself into authorities Tuesday. Prosecutors and police said Monday they had that assurance from Pagenstecher’s attorney. The attorney could not be reached Tuesday.

“He looks like someone that would be in your church youth group,” said David Fornshell, Warren County prosecutor. “He looks like somebody that would be on student council.”

The year-long investigation by the Warren County Drug Task Force netted several high-profile targets who allegedly were growing high-grade hydroponic marijuana out of houses in Norwood and Hamilton, and a furniture warehouse in Blue Ash.

Authorities said that Pagenstecher, a former honor roll student from Mason had at least six current and former Mason High School students working under him to be the primary source for marijuana for students in Mason School District and a significant source of the drug at Kings Schools, also in Warren County.

Pagenstecher was smart enough not to deal on school grounds. And he apparently was savvy enough to keep his business dealings from his mother, even though police said they found a wad of cash – $6,000 – in the teen’s bedroom after serving a search warrant.

Mom’s story, according to police: “She didn’t know.” (more…)

Posted in: Crime, News |

Tags: Tags: crime, drug ring, drugs, marijuana, mason, mason high school, pot, student, tyler pagenstecher, warren county drug task force, warren county juvenile court

The Enquirer

The 17-year-old Mason High School student accused of heading a local drug ring has turned himself in to Warren County Juvenile Detention personnel Tuesday morning, according to WCPO.

Police say that Tyler Pagenstecher, an upperclassman at Mason High School, headed up a $3 million drug ring that for nearly three years doled out pot to local students and was suspected of selling about $20,000 of the drug each month.

He faces two felony counts of drug trafficking. Just three months shy of turning 18, Pagenstecher is not being charged as an adult. If convicted, he could spend the next three years in a state juvenile detention center.

The year-long investigation by the Warren County Drug Task Force netted several high-profile targets who allegedly were growing high-grade hydroponic marijuana out of houses in Norwood and Hamilton, and a furniture warehouse in Blue Ash.

Authorities said that Pagenstecher, a former honor roll student from Mason, had at least six current and former Mason High School students working under him to be the primary source for marijuana for students in Mason School District and a significant source of the drug at Kings Schools, also in Warren County.

Pagenstecher was smart enough not to deal on school grounds. And he apparently was savvy enough to keep his business dealings from his mother, even though police said they found a wad of cash – $6,000 – in the teen’s bedroom after serving a search warrant.

Seven adults were indicted in the case on Friday. Burke said they are still considering charges against the underlings who allegedly dealt drugs for Pagenstecher to local high school students. It is unclear whether those alleged dealers are juveniles.

Those indicted on Friday are Gerald Peele 20, of Mason; Michael Lopez, 28, of Green Township; Stacy Lampe, 28, and Cody Lampe, 31, a married couple from Norwood; Justin Baker, 31, of Hamilton; William Sparks, 57, of Hamilton; and Allen Honeycutt, 58, of Symmes Township. Honeycutt owns Blue Moon Furniture in Montgomery.

MasonBuzz will update this story when more information is available.

Posted in: Crime, News |

Tags: Tags: crime, drug ring, marijuana, mason high school, student, warren county drug task force, warren county juvenile detention, warren county sheriffs