Bainbridge man gets 4 years in Highland County meth trafficking case

A Bainbridge man was sentenced to four years in prison recently after pleading guilty to drug trafficking charges in Highland County.

Samuel Bumgarner, 22, was charged by a Highland County grand jury in April, in an indictment that was initially secret. The charges included one count each of aggravated trafficking in methamphetamine in the vicinity of a school zone, aggravated trafficking in methamphetamine and aggravated possession of methamphetamine, all second-degree felonies; and one count of aggravated possession of methamphetamine, a third-degree felony.

According to court records, Bumgarner pleaded guilty to both trafficking charges Oct. 12, with the possession counts dismissed. The counts were lowered from second- to third-degree felonies as part of the plea agreement.

The indictment alleged that on or about July 1, 2022, Bumgarner “did knowingly sell or offer to sell” meth “in an amount equal to or exceeding bulk amount but less than five times bulk amount in the vicinity of a school zone.” He was further charged with “knowingly selling or offering to sell meth … in an amount equal to or exceeding five times bulk amount but less than 50 times bulk amount” on or about July 22, 2022.

After accepting Bumgarner’s guilty pleas, Highland County Common Pleas Court Judge Rocky Coss sentenced him to a definite determinate term of 24 months on each count, for a total of four years in prison. He had jail time credit of 49 days.

In addition, Bumgarner was ordered to pay $1,170 in restitution to the Highland County Task Force.