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Ironton man sentenced on having weapons under disability charge in Highland County

By
Caitlin Forsha, The Highland County Press

An Ironton man was sentenced to 18 months in prison this week after pleading guilty to having weapons while under disability in Highland County.

Trenton A. Zumwalde, 28, was indicted in August on one count of having weapons while under disability, a third-degree felony. The indictment alleged that on or about May 28, Zumwalde “did knowingly acquire, have, carry or use” two different weapons. Zumwalde was not released from disability due to having previous felony convictions of drug trafficking and possession, the indictment alleges.

According to a bill of particulars, Greenfield Police and Highland County Sheriff’s officers responded to a Madison Township residence on or about May 28, where an individual claimed that Zumwalde had “pulled a black pistol from a fanny pack” and pointed it at the individual. The individual also claimed that Zumwalde had other guns that were “stolen” from an ex-girlfriend. The bill of particulars said that Zumwalde said the firearm “was not his and claimed he had no idea how it ended up inside the house.”

Officers located a loaded gun inside the fanny pack as well as a shotgun in a closet Zumwalde was using, the bill of particulars says.

Zumwalde pleaded guilty to the charge in October, according to court records.

During the sentencing hearing Dec. 5, Highland County Assistant Prosecutor Adam King asked Highland County Common Pleas Court Judge Rocky Coss to sentence Zumwalde to prison. In addition to the prior drug trafficking and possession convictions, King said that Zumwalde was also convicted of having weapons under disability in Clinton County in 2018.

“This is the defendant’s fourth felony conviction,” King said. “In reviewing the [pre-sentence investigation report], the defendant may have a substance abuse problem, but it is also clear that he has a gun problem.”

Zumwalde’s attorney Danielle Whitt asked the judge to impose a term of community control “with the condition of his continued treatment,” as she said he is “doing well” in treatment currently.

“Since initially meeting with him, I do see a change in him, and he has actually accountability,” Whitt said. “He knows that continued path will not get him anywhere.”

Zumwalde also addressed the court and said he wanted to “extend my sincerest apologies.

“I acknowledge the gravity of my actions and the impact they may have had,” he said. “I am genuinely remorseful for my behavior and the consequences that ensued. However, this situation has presented me with a valuable opportunity for self-reflection and personal growth.

“In an effort to address my substance abuse issues, I voluntarily enrolled in a treatment program in Ironton, Ohio. Since then, I have remained committed to my sobriety.”

Zumwalde said he wanted to “humbly request the opportunity to continue down the path of personal growth” through treatment instead of prison.

Coss responded that the court was “concerned about the behavior and the danger that is caused in this situation.

“Also, I don’t find that there’s a true accountability here, because Mr. Zumwalde claimed he didn’t know how the guns got there and continued to deny that to the officers,” Coss said. “Clearly, these guns were stolen from his girlfriend and ended up in the house. He’s tried to blame it on everyone else.

“I think it’s admirable that you’ve done some work on substance abuse disorder. Hopefully you’re doing it for the right reasons, that you want to be clean, not simply to stay out of trouble and not go to prison.”

Coss concluded “this is not an appropriate case for community control” and sentenced Zumwalde to 18 months in prison. Zumwalde had eight days of jail time credit.