Bailey sentenced for trafficking drugs

POMEROY, Ohio – One man has been sentenced for trafficking drugs in Meigs County.

Michael Bailey, 27, of Rutland, Ohio, pled guilty to two counts of Trafficking in Drugs, both felonies of the third degree and one count of Trafficking in Drugs, a felony of the fifth degree. He had previously been indicted by the Meigs County Grand Jury on two additional charges of Possession of Drugs, both felonies of the fifth degree and one count Illegal Use of Food Stamps or WIC Program, a felony of the fifth degree, but both of those counts were dismissed in the plea agreement.

Bailey appeared with his attorney, Claire M. Ball, Jr., in Meigs County Court of Common Pleas Judge I. Carson Crow. Bailey said little in court except to answer Judge Crow concerning the plea to the charges to which Bailey responded, “I plea guilty, sir.”

The charges stemmed from incidents on Sept. 22 and Sept. 23, 2016 and Dec. 3, 2016 regarding Bailey’s involvement in trafficking drugs.

Sentencing immediately followed the change of plea and conviction. Judge Crow sentenced Bailey to a total of five years in prison and will also have a lifetime firearms prohibition. Additionally, Bailey received a mandatory $5,000 fine. Bailey also was ordered to forfeit a 1999 Ford Mustang and $588 in cash. He also faces post release control.

“Meigs County Prosecuting Attorney James K. Stanley is pleased with the outcome of these cases and is glad law enforcement was able to remove a drug trafficker from our community. Stanley thanks law enforcment officers from the Village of Rutland Police Department, the Gallia-Meigs Major Crimes Task Force, the Village of Middleport Police Department, the Meigs County Sheriff’s Office, Ohio Attorney General Mike Dewine’s Office, and the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation,” as stated on the Meigs County Prosecuting Attorney’s Facebook page.