Warren County Drug Task Force Commander John Burke had called the teen a “little czar” in the drug ring and said he was one of the most prolific drug dealers in the Cincinnati area.
During Monday’s hearing, the teen was remorseful for his crimes and said he had not considered the consequences of his actions to himself and his family. The 18-year-old was skinny and pale and looked younger than his age as he was seated between his attorney and his mother in the courtroom.
“I understood I could get in trouble, but not to the level that I have,” he said. “I regret all of this. I didn’t see how serious it was at the time I was doing it.”
Officials said the teen had six current and former Mason High School students working for him, selling mostly to Mason and Kings students. The teen’s $20,000-a-month operation was not brought onto school grounds, according to authorities.
The teen also led police to the arrests of seven adults who were growing marijuana and then using the 18-year-old to sell the drugs, according to Warren County Prosecutor David Fornshell.
The Warren County Drug Task Force seized more than 600 marijuana plants with an estimated street value of $3 million as part of the investigation with raids made on three marijuana-growing facilities in Hamilton, Blue Ash and Norwood. Investigators also found $6,000 in cash in the teen’s bedroom.
Michael O’Neill, the teen’s attorney, said his client has been undergoing intensive rehab for drug addiction, is taking online classes to complete his high school education and is working at a restaurant.
“(He) had no knowledge of the grow houses, took no part in marijuana cultivation nor has been involved in weapons, gang activity or other forms of violence that typically is involved in drug trafficking,” O’Neill said.
O’Neil also noted that the media coverage of the arrest and trial would follow the teen for the rest of his life.
The teen’s parents spoke Monday on his behalf.
“He’s really a good kid who made bad choices,” said his mother. “He didn’t buy a new car or fancy clothes with the money. He was not out to become a big drug dealer.”
Fornshell said he was pleased with the verdict and he hoped the sentence would send a message to other youth.
“I think some kids when they first heard about him thought he was some sort of rock star or a hero,” Fornshell said. “I hope that if they see what he has been through, it sends a strong message that if you try and sell drugs, you will be caught and the consequences are severe.”
Of the seven adults arrested, Justin Baker, 32; Cody Lampe, 31; and Allen Honeycutt, 58, are scheduled for trials later this year on drug charges. Michael Lopez, 28, and Gerald Peele, 20, were found guilty of drug charges and are awaiting sentencing. Stacy Lampe, 28, was sentenced to two years in prison on drug charges.
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