Convicted heroin supplier sentenced to maximum time in Meigs County Court

POMEROY – Convicted heroin supplier, Jacques Georges Daboni has been sentenced by Judge I. Carson Crow in the Meigs County Common Pleas Court to the maximum on all counts, adding up to 32 years in prison for trafficking heroin in Meigs County.

Daboni of Columbus, came to Meigs County for the purpose of selling heroin according to Meigs County Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, Jeremy Fisher. Daboni was referred to as a major supplier of heroin into the area during the trial and by law enforcement. He set up shop in a house then owned by Chad Diddle in Racine. Daboni was convicted on all counts of trafficking in heroin last week by the jury following a five day trial.

During the sentencing, Daboni did not address the court. His only words spoken were, “No sir, thank you, judge,” when asked by Judge Crow if he had anything to say on his own behalf.

The courtroom remained silent as count after count, Judge Crow handed down the maximum sentence. Daboni sat motionless. His expression did not alter. Prior to the sentencing from Judge Crow his attorney, Jason Holdren, said Daboni did not have any prior felony convictions and was the father of three children. Holdren asked the court for concurrent sentences and that his client be considered on his own and not about “sending a message.” Fisher asked the court for the maximum on each count to “send a message” to others about trafficking in heroin in Meigs County. Judge Crow appeared to be moved by neither as he cited the Ohio Revised Code and meted out the sentences on the various counts.

Throughout the trial the level of heroin being sold in Meigs County was very clear. According to Fisher, Amber Duffy and Diddle were able to sell in excess of $250,000 in the short time they were working for Daboni. Each was paid in a half gram of heroin a day for selling heroin in and around the Racine area in 2014.

Meigs County Prosecuting Attorney Colleen Williams extended thanks to all law enforcement involved in the case.

“There was a large number of people in West Virginia and Ohio,” she said involved in the investigation of the case and working to eradicate heroin trafficking from the area. She said heroin is a nationwide problem.

“We continue to battle drugs. The voice of the jury was clear. Our office continues to fight the drug problem,” Sheriff Keith O. Wood said following the sentencing. He said the work of the Major Crimes Task Force of Meigs and Gallia Counties continues.

This was one of the first big drug “busts” for the task force. The task force is comprised of the Meigs County Sheriff’s Office, Gallia County Sheriff’s Office, Middleport Police Department and Gallipolis Police Department. The agencies work with one another and in this case with the Ravenswood Police Department.

Sheriff Wood described the task force as “outstanding” for the work they have been doing to combat the drug problem in the area.

Daboni was charged with felony counts of trafficking in heroin following his arrest and a raid on the house in Racine in September 2014. Daboni still faces numerous similar charges in other areas as well. Each of the charges he was convicted on in Meigs County relate to various dates and were merged into one for the trial. He was sentenced by Judge Crow to the following in case 14-CR-173: three felony counts of trafficking heroin in the fifth degree, 12 months each count; one felony count in the first degree of possession of drugs, eight years; one felony count in the first degree engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, 11 years in prison. He was sentenced in case 14-CR-232 to: two felony counts in the fourth degree of trafficking in heroin, 12 months each count; two felony counts of trafficking heroin in the fifth degree, 12 months each count; and one felony count trafficking heroin in the second degree, eight years in prison. In case 15-CR-23 he was sentenced with one felony count of engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, this charge was merged with one in 14-31-232 for sentencing. Daboni is to serve each sentence consecutively for a total of 32 years incarceration. He is also subject to five years of community control upon release.

Daboni had gone through several attorneys, an alleged injury which allegedly occurred while he was in custody and a previous mistrial because of the alleged injury resulting in Daboni’s appearance in court sitting in a wheelchair. The delays kept the 2014 case from being heard until last week.