West Union woman sentenced in Highland County drug case

A West Union woman was sentenced to community control Wednesday after pleading guilty to a third-degree felony drug charge in Highland County.

As previously reported, Frances E. Horney, 55, was indicted by a Highland County grand jury in May 2025 and charged with aggravated possession of methamphetamine, a third-degree felony. 

The indictment alleged that or about May 30, 2024, Horney “knowingly obtained, possessed or used” meth “in an amount that equals or exceeds bulk amount but less than five times bulk amount.”

According to court records, Horney pleaded guilty to the charge July 9.

During a hearing Aug. 6, Highland County Common Pleas Court Judge Rocky Coss sentenced Horney to three years of community control and ordered her to successfully complete substance use disorder treatment and recommended aftercare.

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 26 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.