Mount Sterling man sentenced in Highland County meth trafficking case

A Mount Sterling man was sentenced to prison recently after pleading guilty to a drug trafficking charge in Highland County.

Gavin Faulconer, 22, was indicted by a Highland County grand jury in February on one count of aggravated trafficking in methamphetamine in the vicinity of a school zone, a second-degree felony; and one count of aggravated possession of methamphetamine, a third-degree felony. The case was initially sealed.

According to the indictment, it was alleged that on or about Aug. 4, 2022, Faulconer “did knowingly sell or offer to sell” meth “in an amount equal to or exceeding bulk amount but less than five times bulk amount” in Highland County.

Court records show Faulconer pleaded guilty to an amended count of aggravated trafficking in meth, a third-degree felony, on April 13.

During a sentencing hearing May 18, Highland County Common Pleas Court Judge Rocky Coss imposed a 24-month prison term for Faulconer, who had jail time credit of 14 days. He was also ordered to pay restitution and court costs.

Faulconer was admitted into the Correctional Reception Center in Orient on May 26, according to the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction.