Hillsboro man gets community control in meth trafficking case

A Hillsboro man was sentenced to community control recently after pleading guilty to a meth trafficking charge.

Joshua Stevens, 38, was indicted by a Highland County grand jury in February 2025 and charged with aggravated trafficking in methamphetamine, a second-degree felony, and theft by deception, a first-degree misdemeanor.

The indictment was originally sealed and remained secret until Stevens’ arrest in late October.

According to court records, Stevens pleaded guilty Dec. 10 to an amended count of aggravated trafficking in methamphetamine, lowered to a third-degree felony. For that charge, it is alleged that on or about Oct. 18, 2024, Stevens “did knowing sell, or offer to sell” meth in an amount equal to or exceeding bulk amount but less than five times bulk amount.

The theft charge was dismissed.

During a hearing Jan. 7, Highland County Common Pleas Court Judge Rocky Coss sentenced Stevens to three years of community control. Stevens was ordered to successfully complete treatment for substance use disorder and recommended aftercare. He was also ordered to pay $140 in restitution to the Highland County Task Force.

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