Teen accused of running drug ring turns himself in

LEBANON, OH (FOX19) - A Mason High School student who is facing charges for running a drug ring has turned himself in to authorities.

The Warren County Drug Task Force says the teen was earning him about $20,000 a month selling drugs to classmates.

Officials said Monday that the Mason High School student was trafficking in high-grade marijuana and selling it to Mason High School and Kings High School students. He was found with $6,000 in cash in his bedroom at the service of the search warrant.

Investigators say the transactions took place at a hotel, and no illegal activity occurred on school property.

"The juvenile dealer was adamant about not dealing on school property. There were strict orders not to sell at MHS because you would get caught and the punishment would be severe," said David Fornshell, Warren County Prosecutor.

The drug task force seized more than 600 hydroponic marijuana plants that were growing at houses in Norwood, Hamilton and a furniture warehouse in Blue Ash. The plants are valued at $5,000 each for a total street value of $3 million. Thousands of dollars worth of grow equipment was also seized in this investigation.

Seven people were indicted by a Warren County grand jury on Friday involving various felonies, including:

• Gerald Peele, 20, of Mason, charged with trafficking in marijuana, possession of criminal tools and engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity
• Michael Lopez, 28, of Cincinnati, charged with three counts of trafficking in marijuana, possession of criminal tools and engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity
• Stacy Lampe, 28, of Norwood, charged with three counts of trafficking in marijuana, possession of marijuana, possession of criminal tools, engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity and endangering children
• Cody Lampe, 31, of Norwood, charged with four counts of trafficking in marijuana, two counts of possession of marijuana, possession of criminal tools, cultivation of marijuana, engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity and endangering children
• Justin Baker, 31, of Hamilton, charged with three counts of trafficking in marijuana, two counts of possession of marijuana, two counts of cultivation of marijuana, engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity and possession of criminal tools
• William Sparks, 57, of Hamilton, charged with trafficking in marijuana, possession of marijuana, cultivation of marijuana, possession of criminal tools, possession of cocaine and engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity
• Allen Honeycutt, 58, of Cincinnati, charged with trafficking in marijuana, possession of marijuana, cultivation of marijuana, possession of criminal tools and engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity

Charges are also being pursued in juvenile court. The teen, whose name is not being released, turned himself in to the Warren County Juvenile Detention Center on Tuesday morning.

"We applaud the work of the Warren County Drug Task Force and the Prosecutor's Office, and will continue to work with them to keep our youth safe," said Dr. Gail Kist-Kline, Mason City Schools Superintendent.

Mason High School officials say the school regularly conducts surprise drug sweeps, and any student found in violation of Mason City Schools' drug abuse policy is subject to disciplinary action. Besides the district's regular curriculum, the district has provided additional programs on drug use and abuse for students and families in recent years, and employs a school resource officer at Mason High School.

"Our hope and expectation is that Mason City Schools will continue to do all we can to keep our schools and students safe from the dangers of drug use," said Kist-Kline.  "We know that some of our students and families may struggle with drug abuse, and we want to continue to work with parents, faith institutions, and other community partners to create a drug-free community."

The investigation is ongoing.

The teen is not in jail.  He's scheduled to appear in court July 31 at 4:00 p.m.

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