Haning sentenced for trafficking drugs in Meigs County
Nicholas Haning after being sentenced to four years in prison for trafficking and possession of drugs. He was waiting to be taken to the Sheriff's Office. Photo by Carrie Gloeckner.
POMEROY – Nicholas R. Haning, 38, of Middleport, has been sentenced for his part in trafficking drugs in Meigs County.
Haning was part of a big bust in July 2016 by the Gallia-Meigs Major Crimes Task Force. As previously reported in the Meigs Independent Press, Haning was arrested as part of an operation which started July 22, 2016 by the Gallia-Meigs Major Crimes Task Force. The Major Crimes Task Force secured a search warrant of 539 Broadway Street in Middleport at the residence of Haning. Agents along with assistance from the Meigs County Sheriff’s Office and the Middleport Police Department made entry at the residence where Haning was arrested on an indictment for alleged drug trafficking. After completing a search of the residence agents had seized drugs and drug paraphernalia. Haning was then incarcerated in the Middleport Jail.
Haning was charged originally with multiple counts, however, in a plea agreement set up with former Meigs County Prosecutor, Colleen Williams, many charges were dismissed. Haning had been charged with: seven counts of Trafficking, a felony of the fifth degree; six counts of Possession, a felony of the fifth degree; and one count of Possession, a felony of the fourth degree.
With the plea deal, Haning entered a guilty plea to a total of four counts of Trafficking, all felonies of the fifth degree and one count of Possession, also a felony of the fifth degree. Ten charges were dismissed. Judge Carson Crow accepted Haning’s plea and the agreement. He gave Haning the opportunity to address the court, but Haning chose not to say anything.
Haning was sentenced to 12 months on each count he was convicted on and for a total of four years for his role in trafficking drugs including heroin in Meigs County.
Additionally, Haning will be subject to post release control, a six month driver’s license suspension, and a lifetime firearm prohibition. He will did not receive a fine, but will have to pay the cost of prosecution of his case. Haning was taken into custody following the sentencing.
Haning was represented by attorney Mick Barr. Meigs County Prosecuting Attorney James Stanley presented the plea agreement arranged by his predecessor.
Had Haning been convicted on each of the 14 charges, he would have been looking at serving 15 years in prison.
Out of that bust, multiple people were arrested. Those arrested in addition to Haning during a warrant round up that followed the initial bust at Haning’s residence were: Jason Milliron of Middleport; Brad Davenport of Middleport; Ezra Rathburn of Rutland; Lorena Ackerman of Pomeroy; Justin Allen of Syracuse; Brian Cleland of Rutland; Lance Herman of Middleport; Melvin Hayes of Pomeroy; Dwayne Madison of Pomeroy; Sarah Blankenship of Pomeroy; Robert William Christopher Qualls of Pomeroy; Trenton Qualls of Middleport; Greg Jones of Gallipolis; Sean Smith of Gallipolis; Linda Smith of Bidwell; and Courtney Miller of Bidwell.
Several of those arrested at that time have entered guilty pleas and convicted while others are still in the process of working through the judicial system.
The Gallia-Meigs Major Crimes Task Force is comprised of the sheriffs offices in both Gallia and Meigs along with the prosecuting offices in both counties. Additionally, the Middleport Police Department and the Gallipolis Police Department are part of the task force.
