News
Heroin Ring Player Gets 10-Year Prison Sentence
By: Susan Tebben
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One Glouster man is set to spend a decade in prison for his role in a heroin trafficking ring, while another Glouster resident received a lesser term in connection with the ring.
John “Michael” Losey, 31, appeared before Athens County Common Pleas Judge Patrick J. Lang on Wednesday, where he changed his plea to guilty to multiple charges in an indictment, according to a news release by the Athens County Prosecutor’s Office.
Losey pleaded guilty to six counts of trafficking in heroin and one count each of engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, possessing criminal tools and possession of heroin.
In exchange for the guilty plea, Losey was sentenced to ten years in prison, along with five years of mandatory post-release control when he finishes his prison sentence.
Losey is one of more than a dozen people arrested in connection with the heroin ring that was starting to bring cocaine into the mix, according to previous media reports. Athens County Prosecutor Keller Blackburn said the ring was bringing the drugs from Columbus into Athens County.
Another man arrested in connection with the ring was also sentenced on Wednesday after changing his plea to guilty.
Ronnie L. Degarmore, 50, entered a change of plea to eight counts of trafficking in heroin and one count each of engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, possessing criminal tools, tampering with evidence and obstructing justice, the news release stated.
All the charges against the two men were felonies.
Lang sentenced Degarmore to two years in prison, and ordered that he begin a five-year community control sentence when he is released. If he violates the term or conditions of his community control, Degarmore could face another four years of prison time.
This case was investigated by the Athens County Prosecutor’s Office, the Athens Major Crimes Unit, Hocking Major Crimes Unit, Glouster Police Department, Athens County 9-1-1, Perry County Sheriff’s Office, Ohio State Highway Patrol and the Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI), Licking County Sheriff’s Office, Adult Parole Authority.