16 years for 'big fish' in drug trade

Darren M. Reese has been a target of area law enforcement for more than a decade, according to officials.

He’s a man known as “Fuzz” on the streets, but amongst police and other authorities Reese is known as a “big fish” in the Muskingum County drug trade, according to a sentencing memorandum filed by the prosecutor’s office in August.

“For over 10 years, he’s pumped poison on to the streets of this community, and cash into his own pockets,” according to the prosecutor’s office, which argued for a 24-year prison sentence for Reese on multiple drug-related charges.

Reese appeared in Muskingum County Common Pleas Court for sentencing on Monday, but the hearing was later continued to Wednesday.

Judge Mark Fleegle sentenced Reese on Wednesday to 16 years in prison on six drug counts, one accusing him of being a major drug offender.

Fleegle had previously found Reese guilty after he pleaded no contest. Reese indicated on Wednesday that he plans to appeal the ruling.