Hillsboro woman sentenced for possession of hashish

A Hillsboro woman charged in connection with a Highland County Task Force investigation last October was sentenced this month to community control. 

Aubrie Utley, 26, was initially indicted on charges of trafficking in hashish in the vicinity of a school zone, a first-degree felony; and possession of hashish, a second-degree felony.

Utley was one of seven individuals charged in a 32-count indictment in October as a result of the HCTF investigation. 

Court records show that Utley pleaded guilty to a lowered charge of possession of hashish, now a third-degree felony, in December. The trafficking charge was dropped.

It is alleged that on or about May 19, 2022, Utley was in possession of hashish in liquid form in an amount equal to or exceeding 50 grams but less than 200 grams.

During a sentencing hearing Feb. 14, Highland County Common Pleas Court Judge Rocky Coss sentenced Utley to three years of community control. 

“Your choice of friends got you in trouble, if what you are saying is true,” Coss told Utley. “Clearly, everybody associated with [this case] were making a lot of money by selling drugs in this county, or storing them and distributing them. It was a major operation, for this county in particular. 

“There’s an old saying, if you lie down with dogs, you get up with fleas.”

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.