As part of his sentence, Plata agreed to pay $915 in restitution and forfeit his 1993 Chevrolet Camaro, $2,450 in cash, a flat-screen TV and car stereo seized from two cases brought against him. Some of the cash and property were seized during a Sept. 15, 2009, traffic stop in Winchester, Ohio.
During his sentencing, Peeler credited Plata for 80 days in jail after a Sept. 3, 2009, arrest in Clearcreek Twp. following a traffic stop and an arrest on May 3 with a high school classmate during the undercover sting.
Plata, who was studying landscaping at the Warren County Career Cente, pleaded guilty to four counts of drug trafficking and single counts of tampering with evidence and possession of marijuana. All other charges were dismissed as part of a plea agreement.
In May, six students from Springboro High School and the county Career Center were arrested by agents with the Warren County Drug Task Force as part of the drug sting operation. Police said while no drugs were ever sold on school grounds, authorities seized $7,000 in cash, 4 pounds of marijuana, ledgers and scales during searches.
At the time of his May arrest, Plata’s mother, Amy Plata, was in the county jail on drug charges, while his father, Carlos Plata, died of a drug overdose in 2005. Authorities said the younger Plata had no stable residence and was living in a trailer in Wayne Twp. purchased for $5,500.
His attorney, Aaron Aldridge, said he hopes Plata comes out of prison a changed person.
“Hopefully this gives him an opportunity to serve his time and then turn his life around,” Aldridge said.
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2261 or lbudd@DaytonDailyNews.com.
About the Author
