Fayette County Sheriff’s Office investigation yields 8 drug convictions
Eight people have received prison sentences after a lengthy drug investigation was conducted by the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office.
The investigations, which began in the fall of 2022, were centered around the sale of methamphetamines in Fayette County. Detectives identified several subjects believed to be involved in the trafficking of narcotics and began controlled purchases of large amounts of narcotics from these individuals.
Between September 2022 and April of 2023, detectives seized approximately 6,143 grams-more than 13 pounds of methamphetamines, 186 grams of fentanyl and 37 grams of cocaine. The street value of the seized narcotics totals approximately $490,000.
During the course of the investigations, the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office, with the assistance of the US 23 Major Crimes Task Force and the Highland County Prosecutor’s Office Investigative Unit, conducted controlled purchases of narcotics from multiple locations within the County and also uncovered that some of the sales were being made in coordination with a subject that was incarcerated by the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction at Pickaway Correctional.
The controlled purchases, and a search warrant that was later conducted, led to multiple indictments and subsequent convictions against the following individuals:
• Brandi N. Wood, 42, of Washington CH: three counts of aggravated trafficking in drugs with one Major Drug Offender specification; one count of aggravated possession of drugs with a Major Drug Offender specification; and one count of engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity. Ms. Wood was convicted on all counts and was sentenced to 38-42.5 years in prison.
• Chad M. Davis, 45, of Pickaway County: three counts of aggravated trafficking in drugs with one Major Drug Offender specification; and one count of engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity. Mr. Davis was convicted on all counts and sentenced to 27-32.5 years in prison.
• Marcos J. Baker, 45, of Jeffersonville: one count of aggravated trafficking in drugs with a Major Drug Offender specification. Mr. Baker was convicted and sentenced to 11-16.5 years in prison.
• Vercie L. Lark, 43, of Dayton: three counts of aggravated trafficking in drugs with one Major Drug Offender specification; two counts of possession of drugs; and one count of engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity. Mr. Lark was convicted on multiple counts and sentenced to 20-25.5 years in prison.
• Carla A. Doctor, 52, of Washington CH: one count of aggravated trafficking in drugs with Major Drug Offender specification; and one count of aggravated possession of drugs with Major Drug Offender specification. Ms. Doctor was convicted and sentenced to eight years in prison.
• Tony T. Wood, 41, of Dayton; one count of aggravated possession of drugs; three counts of possession of drugs; one count of aggravated trafficking in drugs; one count of trafficking in drugs; and one count of engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity. Mr. Wood was convicted on multiple counts and sentenced to 13-15.5 years in prison.
• Marcus J. Francis, 41, of Washington CH: three counts of aggravated trafficking in drugs with two Major Drug Offender specifications; and one count of engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity. Mr. Francis was convicted and sentenced to 30-35.5 years in prison.
• James Phipps Jr, 25, of Dayton: two counts of aggravated trafficking in drugs with one Major Drug Offender specification; and one count of engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity. Mr. Phipps was convicted and sentenced to 25-30.5 years in prison.
Sheriff Stanforth would like to recognize Detective Treg Brown and all other Fayette County Deputies who assisted in these investigations and thank all of the above-mentioned agencies for their assistance. He would also like to thank the Fayette County Prosecutor’s Office for all of their hard work in helping to secure these convictions and for ensuring these offenders were properly punished for their part in flooding our streets with drugs. The Fayette County Sheriff’s Office will not tolerate anyone poisoning our community with illegal narcotics.
If you would like to submit a tip to the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office regarding the distribution of drugs, or any other crimes occurring in Fayette County, then please visit www.faycoso.com and follow the prompts to submit a tip. All tips can be made anonymously.
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