Columbus man guilty on drug trafficking charges

One of three men arrested during a raid at a home in South Point has been sentenced to prison after being convicted on drug charges.

Mark Smith, 65, of Columbus, was sentenced to 12 years in prison Wednesday. Last week during a two-day trial in Lawrence County Common Pleas Court, a jury found Smith guilty on 5 of 7 trafficking counts, according to court records.

Smith, Robert Duty, 51, of South Point, and the homeowner, William D. Yapp,49, were arrested following the raid back in September.

The Lawrence Drug and Major Crimes Task Force initiated an investigation, after receiving multiple complaints of heroin being sold at Yapp’s residence on County Road 1.

Investigators say they seized $1800 in cash, heroin, cocaine, oxycodone, marijuana, digital scales and a gun at the home where Smith was arrested..

Prosecutors say Yapp and Robert have already pleaded guilty to trafficking in heroin. They will be sentenced at a later date.

Published by wsaz.com