City drug dealer sentenced to eight years

The Logan County Joint Drug Task Force reports that Larry Ratleff (pictured), 55, of 401 West Brown Avenue, Apt. 6, Bellefontaine, was recently sentenced to eight years in prison by a Union County Common Pleas Court Judge. Ratleff recently agreed to a plea agreement after the first day of his trial.

The case against Ratleff stems from a lengthy investigation into his drug trafficking throughout Logan County last year. The Logan County Joint Drug Task Force was assisted by the Drug Enforcement Agency and task force members in Union County.

Ratleff was stopped three separate times by law enforcement between late October and early November, each time traveling with narcotics. The stops occurred in Union and Champaign counties. The investigation covered five counties.

On November 6th, Ratleff was taken into custody following a traffic stop on Route 33 in western Union County around 1:30 p.m.

Deputies seized 103 units of heroin.

Initially, Ratleff was arrested following a traffic stop on Route 33 near Marysville on October 24th.

The Union County Joint Drug Task Force seized 103 units of heroin.

On October 26th, the Marysville Post of the State Highway Patrol arrested Ratleff following a traffic stop on Route 68 in northern Champaign County.

Troopers seized 70 units of heroin.

Locally, the task force believes Ratleff’s participation in bringing heroin into Logan County substantially contributed to the local drug climate over a period of months. Ratleff has pleaded guilty in Champaign County to felony charges of possession of heroin and tampering with evidence. He is awaiting sentencing on those charges.

Bellefontaine Police Chief Brandon Standley said, “The Logan County Joint Drug Task Force is committed to pursuing drug traffickers that are attempting to destroy neighborhoods by their criminal enterprise. Citizens are urged to contact their local law enforcement agency with any information regarding suspected drug activity. All information is reviewed for potential use in furthering criminal investigations.”