Hillsboro man sentenced to prison for trafficking meth
A Hillsboro man was sentenced to at least four years in prison this week after pleading guilty to meth trafficking charges in connection with a Highland County Task Force investigation.
Anthony Simich, 42, was indicted by a Highland County grand jury in April and charged with four counts of aggravated trafficking in methamphetamine, one second-degree felony and three third-degree felonies; and four counts of aggravated possession of methamphetamine, three third-degree felonies and one fifth-degree felony. The indictment was initially made secret.
According to court records, Simich pleaded guilty July 15 to the second-degree felony trafficking charge, as well as one of the third-degree felony charges. The remaining six counts were dismissed.
For those counts, it is alleged that on or about Feb. 19, 2025 Simich “did knowingly sell or offer to sell” meth “in an amount equal to or exceeding bulk amount but less than five times bulk amount.” On March 3, 2025, Simich is accused of “knowingly selling or offering to sell [meth] … in an amount equal to or exceeding five times bulk amount but less than 50 times bulk amount.”
Highland County Common Pleas Court Judge Rocky Coss sentenced Simich to 12 months on the third-degree felony count, consecutive to a mandatory three years in prison on the second-degree felony count, for a total minimum of four years. Under the Reagan Tokes Law, Simich could serve up to five and a half years in prison. He had 41 days of jail time credit.
Simich was also ordered to pay restitution to the Highland County Task Force, including $280 joint and several with one co-defendant, $140 joint and several with a second co-defendant and $230 alone.
The Highland County Task Force has a Facebook page and takes anonymous and confidential tips regarding substance abuse and trafficking in Highland County. You can also provide information directly to a member of the Task Force by calling the Highland County Prosecutor’s Office at (937) 393-1851.