Greenfield man sentenced to over a decade in prison
A Greenfield man was sentenced to over 10 years in prison last week after pleading guilty to two second-degree felonies as charged in a 14-count indictment in September.
Charles D. Howland, 65, of Greenfield was indicted by a Highland County grand jury last month on 14 counts, including:
• One count each of engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, trafficking in heroin and possession of heroin, all second-degree felonies;
• Three counts of aggravated trafficking in methamphetamine, a fourth-degree felony; and
• Three counts each of aggravated possession of methamphetamine and trafficking in a fentanyl-related compound, and two counts of possession of a fentanyl-related compound, all fifth-degree felonies.
Howland was also charged in a separate indictment with aggravated possession of a fentanyl-related compound, a fifth-degree felony. That case has been dismissed as part of the plea agreement with the 14-count case.
According to court records, Howland pleaded guilty Oct. 26 to engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity and trafficking in heroin, both second-degree felonies, with the remaining 12 counts dismissed.
For those counts, a bill of particulars alleged that during a period ranging from Nov. 1, 2022 through May 1, 2023 in Highland County “and as a continuing course of criminal conduct in Fayette County,” Howland “did recklessly, while being employed by or associated with, directly or indirectly, conduct or participate in the affairs of an enterprise through a pattern of corrupt activity, and at least one of the incidents of corrupt activity is a felony of the fourth or fifth degree.”
It is further alleged that on or about March 10, Howland and a co-defendant were observed in a truck driving between Greenfield and Fayette County and were followed by law enforcement due to “being involved in recent drug transactions.” During a subsequent traffic stop, Howland was found to have 15.2 grams of heroin.
After accepting Howland’s guilty pleas, Highland County Common Pleas Court Judge Rocky Coss sentenced Howland to a definite determinate term of four years (could be up to six years under the Reagan Tokes Law) for the engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity count, consecutive to a mandatory four years on the heroin trafficking charges.
In addition, Howland was under post-release control at the time of the offense, so Coss ordered him to serve the “remaining part of your post-release control time, which is 833 days,” consecutive to the prison terms.
“I know we’ve known each other for many, many years, and you’ve certainly had a long criminal history,” Coss told Howland. “I’m sure that drugs have been part of it. I understand that, but sooner or later, you’re going to have to change or you’re going to die.”
Howland had 44 days of jail time credit. He was also ordered to pay $360 in restitution to the Highland County Task Force.