CLINGER
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A trio of Columbus men is facing charges as part of criminal drug ring.
The Union County grand jury has indicted Cole Hamilton Clinger, Curtis Robert Clinger and Matthew Jordan Lengel.
Cole Clinger, 21, is charged with two counts of trafficking in hashish, two counts of trafficking marijuana and one count each of conspiracy and engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity.
Curtis Clinger, 19, is charged with two counts each of trafficking in hashish, trafficking marijuana and possession of hashish along with one count each of conspiracy possession of marijuana and engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity.
Lengel, 21, is charged with two counts each of trafficking in hashish, trafficking in marijuana and one count of conspiracy.
According to court documents, between March 30 and July 7, the group trafficked marijuana and liquid hashish in the parking lot of the American Inn, 10220 U.S. 42, Plain City.
According to court documents, the motel was “a known area for drug transactions and was closed due to a county issued nuisance order because of the constant drug transactions that occurred on the property.”
At some point, deputies confronted Curtis Clinger while he was in the parking lot with another man. The deputies said they could smell marijuana coming from the car.
“A search of the vehicle was conducted,” according to court documents. “Deputies located a large quantity of raw marijuana inside a black backpack, a large quantity of marijuana THC oil cartridges, a black digital scale with marijuana residue, a loaded 9 mm (semi-automatic handgun) and $1,381 in U.S. currency.”
Union County Prosecutor Dave Phillips explained that marijuana is a plant. That plant can be processed into a resin with the plant’s psychoactive properties. That resin is called hashish. The plants or the hashish can be processed into an oil.
“Hash can be used in a hash pipe, but the oil can be used in a vape pen,” Phillips said. “I think that’s why that’s being done.”
Detectives confiscated Curtis Clinger’s cell phone “for suspicion of drug trafficking.”
When investigators went through the phone, they found evidence of alleged drug transactions.
The investigator, “also discovered in the text messages that Curtis Clinger was working with Cole Clinger and Matthew Lengel to conduct such drug transactions.”
The detective learned also through the messages that the Lengel and the Clingers were running the marijuana trafficking as a business with ownership shares. Text revealed the group received almost $20,000 from the alleged sale.
When the drugs were analyzed, it was determined the group had more than a pound of marijuana and liquid hashish.
If convicted on all counts, Cole Clinger could face as many as 31 years in prison, Curtis Clinger could face as many as 33 years in prison and Lengel could face nearly 15 years in prison.
Also indicted was
– Anna Marie Martin, 42, of 606 Forrest Lane, Richwood. Martin is charged with two counts each of illegal processing of drug documents and aggravated possession of drugs along with one count each of attempted deception to obtain a dangerous drug, deception to obtain a dangerous drug, aggravated possession of drugs and identity fraud. According to court documents, on Aug. 6, Martin pretended to be someone else in an attempt to get a prescription for dextroamphetamine.
– Brook A Davidson, 29, of the Tri-County Regional Jail. Davidson is charged with one count each of tampering with evidence and possessing drug abuse instruments, stemming from an Oct. 3 incident involving a hypodermic needle.
– Zachary Allen Wilson, 19, of 220 Greenwood Boulevard, Apt. 4F, Marysville. Wilson is charged with one count of possession of LSD, stemming from a July 11, incident. If convicted Wilson could face as many as 12 months in prison. In court documents, court officials are urged to “please proceed with caution, defendant has made threats of violence against law enforcement.
– Jeffrey Lee Jones, 33, of 5429 Route 309, Ada. Jones is charged with one count each of aggravated possession of drugs, possession of heroin and trafficking in heroin. According to court documents, the allegations stem from a May 24 incident involving more than 100 doses of heroin. If convicted on all charges, Jones could face as many as 17 years in prison.