Grand jury indicts six on drug trafficking charges

PORT CLINTON - Five men and one woman face trafficking charges after being indicted by an Ottawa County grand jury.

David Meek, 50, of Oak Harbor, was charged with six counts of trafficking anabolic steroids, one count of illegal distribution of anabolic steroids, one count of illegal manufacturing of anabolic steroids, two counts of possession of anabolic steroids and one count of engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity.

Meek is accused of manufacturing anabolic steroids in his Carroll Township home, then selling them throughout the country via the U.S. Postal Service.

Ottawa County Prosecutor Mark Mulligan said Meek is  on federal probation for similar offenses in Columbus. Mulligan also noted that the U.S. Postal Inspection Service was "instrumental" in bringing the alleged offenses to light.

"Many of the drug ingredients came from China through the mail," Mulligan said. "These performance enhancing drugs carry significant side effects."

Among the other individuals charged includes:

• Christopher Cole, 34, of Sandusky, is charged with one count of trafficking cocaine, three counts of trafficking marijuana, one count of possession of hydrocodone and one count of possession of cocaine with intent to distribute. Cole is accused of trafficking marijuana and cocaine in the Village of Put-in-Bay and transporting the drugs to the island via ferry. 
• Matthew Jester, 21, of Genoa, is charged with two counts of trafficking heroin. Jester is accused of trafficking heroine in the Genoa area. 
• Adam Hale, 33, of Oak Harbor, is charged with one count of trafficking heroin and two counts of theft. Hale is accused of trafficking heroin in Port Clinton. 
• Donald Petrucci, 58, of Lindsey, is charged with two counts of trafficking marijuana and one count of permitting drug abuse. Petrucci is accused of trafficking marijuana in the Harris Township area. 
• Tina Dyson, 43, of Lindsey, is charged with one count of trafficking marijuana. Dyson is accused of trafficking marijuana in the Harris Township area. 

The Ottawa County Drug Task Force arrested Meek, Cole, Jester, Petrucci and Dyson, all of whom were incarcerated at the Ottawa County Detention Facility. Hale is incarcerated by the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections and will be served with the warrant prior to his release.

Mulligan noted that an indictment is merely a formal charge and does not denote the guilt or innocence of the accused.

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