Chillicothe man sentenced to community control for meth possession

A Chillicothe man was sentenced to community control in Highland County Common Pleas Court recently, after pleading guilty to meth possession earlier this year. 

Shane E. Cottrill, 45, was indicted in September by a Highland County grand jury and charged with aggravated possession of methamphetamine, a third-degree felony. 

The indictment alleged that on or about May 9, Cottrill “did knowingly obtain, possess or use” meth “in an amount equal to or exceeding bulk amount but less than five times bulk amount.”

According to a bill of particulars, a law enforcement officer made a traffic stop on a truck, which stopped in the parking lot of a Greenfield business, last May. The driver was arrested due to having an active warrant, while Cottrill, the passenger, was “instructed to exit the vehicle,” the bill of particulars says.

Officers allegedly found drug paraphernalia inside the truck. A tool bag, which was identified as belonging to Cottrill, contained “a green leafy substance” and “an unknown crystalline substance,” as alleged in the bill of particulars.

BCI analysis determined that the “unknown crystalline substance” was 5.18 grams of meth, the bill of particulars alleges.

Cottrill pleaded guilty to the charge Jan. 30. During a hearing March 8, Highland County Common Pleas Court Judge Rocky Coss sentenced him to three years of community control. Cottrill was also ordered to successfully complete a recommended treatment program.

Publisher's note: A free press is critical to having well-informed voters and citizens. While some news organizations opt for paid websites or costly paywalls, The Highland County Press has maintained a free newspaper and website for the last 25 years for our community. If you would like to contribute to this service, it would be greatly appreciated. Donations may be made to: The Highland County Press, P.O. Box 849, Hillsboro, Ohio 45133. Please include "for website" on the memo line.