Greenfield man gets 7 years in Highland County Task Force case

A Greenfield man charged in connection with a Highland County Task Force meth trafficking investigation earlier this year was sentenced Wednesday to seven years in prison.

As previously reported, Harold Davis III, 48, of Greenfield was indicted by a Highland County grand jury in February on three counts of aggravated trafficking in methamphetamine in the vicinity of a school zone, all second-degree felonies; and three counts of aggravated possession of methamphetamine, all third-degree felonies.

According to court records, Davis pleaded guilty March 25 to two counts of aggravated trafficking in methamphetamine in the vicinity of a school zone.

For the first charge, a bill of particulars alleges that on or about April 24, 2023, Davis sold 6.94 grams of meth to a confidential informant (CI) working with the Highland County Task Force. The deal was done in an alley in Greenfield, within a thousand feet of a school.

The second count alleged that on or about April 28, 2023, Davis again sold drugs to a CI in the same alley, as this time the bag tested positive for 13.89 grams of meth.

The sentencing hearing Wednesday in Highland County Common Pleas Court began without Davis, as his attorney, Bill Armintrout, advised Judge Rocky Coss that he “was very surprised” Davis had not shown up.

Coss responded that Davis “had not reported” to pretrial supervision “since May 9.”

“They did talk to him on the phone and informed him that the hearing was continued [to May 23],” Coss said. “They haven’t heard from him since.”

Armintrout said he had spoken to Davis the previous week, and “he gave every indication he would be here.”

Davis arrived in the courtroom a few minutes later, with the hearing continuing with both Armintrout and Highland County Assistant Prosecutor Adam King asking Coss to follow the recommended seven-year prison sentence in the plea agreement. 

Armintrout added that Davis told him he had been working on a relative’s house “to get it ready for his extended absence” prior to his sentencing and “indicated it would take another two weeks” to finish the project. The defendant also addressed that topic with the court.

“I’m trying to get her house done,” Davis told Coss. “If you’d give me some days before, I’d really appreciate it.”

Coss pointed out that nearly two months had elapsed between Davis’ plea and the sentencing hearing. 

“There’s been enough time for the project to get done,” the judge said. “The court’s not going to delay sentencing any further.”

Coss imposed a sentence of three years on count one, consecutive to four years on count two, for a total of seven years in prison. Under the Reagan Tokes Law, Davis could serve up to nine years in prison. He had 17 days of jail time credit.

Davis was additionally ordered to pay $350 in restitution to the Highland County Task Force.

Davis’ arrest in February came as part of “Operation Fetty Stop,” which is the ongoing work of the Highland County Task Force and all county law enforcement agencies to stop the trafficking and use of fentanyl in Highland County. 

The Highland County Task Force has a Facebook page and takes anonymous and confidential tips regarding substance abuse and trafficking in Highland County. You can also provide information directly to a member of the Task Force by calling the Highland County Prosecutor’s Office at (937) 393-1851.  

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.