Miami County death 'a poster for the ravages of drug addiction'

A Miami County judge Tuesday sentenced a Troy man to six years in prison in the March 25 death of a Piqua man, calling the case "a poster for the ravages of drug addiction."

Jeremy Alspaugh, 34, earlier was found guilty of felony involuntary manslaughter, corrupting another with drugs, tampering with evidence and trafficking in drugs in the death of Michael Henderson, 44, of Piqua. He also pleaded no contest to felony domestic violence in a March 23 incident.

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County Prosecutor Tony Kendell said after the charges were filed that Alspaugh was accused of knowingly administering heroin to Henderson, knowingly selling or offering to sell him cocaine and causing the death. The tampering with evidence charge included accusations he attempted to alter the scene of the crime.

A crying Alspaugh said he struggled with drug addiction for 13 years. He looked to Henderson's family members Tuesday to apologize, saying "I'm very sorry."

Janna Parker, an assistant county prosecutor, said the case was the result of "an awfully tragic situation" that brought "a life lost too soon."

Members of Henderson's family said Alspaugh should have called for help, but didn't. "I can't forgive him now but I know my dad forgives him because that was who he was," Henderson's daughter said.

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His former wife said Michael Henderson befriended Alspaugh and gave him a job. "Michael was his friend, and he left him for dead," she said.

The plea was part of a deal in which prosecutors and the defense agreed to recommend four years in prison. Judge Christopher Gee said he usually follows recommendations but taking all facts in the case into consideration increased the time. He noted Alspaugh had no prior felony convictions but did have a lengthy misdemeanor record. In addition, he said, Alspaugh had displayed a pattern of substance abuse.

"This case is a poster for the ravages of drug addiction and the impact it has upon both the victims and defendants," Gee said.

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