The Ross County Grand Jury returned all 19 of their cases on Friday, March 15th 2024, with 10 open for release to the public. From testimony in the the grand jury in one of the cases, according to the Ross County Prosecutor’s Office:
On February 23rd, an Ohio Highway Patrol trooper pulled a vehicle over for traveling 68 mph in a 55 zone near Yellowbud. 45-year-old Misty L. Lansing of Peebles was the driver, and 23-year-old Ariel Mattea Ballein of Bainbridge was the passenger.
Troopers noticed a glass smoking pipe and torn baggie with white residue, and asked them how much meth was in the car. Lansing said, only a little.
However, after both were placed into separate cruisers, the troopers found a vacuum-sealed bag and another bag filled with a white crystal substance.
Both women admitted that they knew meth was in the vehicle and that they had gone to Columbus several times to deliver meth to this area.
The total amount was 445.3 grams of methamphetemine – a huge amount. State law determines that only three grams of meth is a “bulk” amount, which is the threshold to claim it for personal use. They were found with more than 100 times that, maxing out the charges, so the penalty enhancement makes them “major drug offenders” – which is an automatic 10 years.
For indictments on first-degree felony aggravated possession of drugs, and first-degree felony aggravated trafficking in drugs, Lansing and Ballein could each get up to a total of 23 years and $22,500 in fines.
Both remain in the Ross County Jail.
Find the article on the Scioto Post.
Kevin Coleman covers local government and culture for the Scioto Post and iHeart Media Southern Ohio. For stories or questions, contact Kevin Coleman or the iHeart Southern Ohio Newsroom.
45-year-old Misty L. Lansing of Peebles and 23-year-old Ariel Mattea Ballein of Bainbridge.