Central Ohio fentanyl dealers plead guilty, face over 40 years in prison

ZANESVILLE, Ohio (WCMH) — Three central Ohio suspects, including two from Columbus, could face over 40 years in prison after pleading guilty to drug trafficking and possession charges.

According to the Muskingum County Prosecutor's Office, three “major” fentanyl dealers admitted guilt related to separate, months-long investigations by the county’s Joint Drug Unit, CODE Task Force and the FBI.

One man, 26-year-old Steven Smith, of Zanesville pleaded guilty to multiple charges in two cases, the first from a March investigation that resulted in Smith admitting to LSD possession with a firearm specification, aggravated possession of drugs, and having weapons under disability. The second case stems from June in which he pleaded guilty to trafficking in a fentanyl related compound and possession of cocaine.

Related to the June case were the guilty pleas of two Columbus residents – Krisawn Taylor-Hayes, 23, and Breonna Kelly, 19.

Taylor-Hayes pleaded guilty to trafficking in a fentanyl related compound and possession of cocaine, while Kelly pleaded guilty to the same charges, plus possession of methamphetamine.

The prosecutor’s office stated that Smith and Taylor-Hayes participated together in selling approximately 400 pills containing fentanyl but appearing to be Percocet to undercover law enforcement. The two, plus Kelly, who was driving, were later caught in possession of the money they were paid for the transaction.

Both men were in custody during the duration of their trial. Kelly had posted bond, but had it revoked when she tested positive for drugs.

On Wednesday, a Muskingum County common pleas judge sentenced Smith to 17 years in prison. Kelly faces a sentencing hearing in which a jointly recommended sentence was agreed to of four years. Taylor-Hayes will have a pre-sentencing investigation and could face a maximum sentence of 20 years.