Head of a Major Drug Trafficking Ring in Central Ohio was Sentenced Today in Pill-Mill/Heroin Trafficking case

Posted on 7/9/2015

Defendant: James DeJarnette

Prosecutor Ron O’Brien announced today the sentencing for James DeJarnette, the head of a major drug trafficking ring in Central Ohio.  DeJarnette pled guilty to 15 counts in a multi co-defendant series of indictments.  The offenses included Engaging in a Pattern of Corrupt Activity, Trafficking in Heroin, Aggravated Trafficking in Drugs (methamphetamine), and Trafficking in Cocaine.  He was sentenced to serve 25 years in prison.  DeJarnette will be eligible for judicial release after an additional 11 and a half years.  Previously his brother, Joseph DeJarnette, along with 10 other defendants had pleaded guilty to various drug offenses out of this investigation and have been sentenced to prison.  This case was from a joint investigation by the Delaware County Drug Task Force, the Columbus Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Bureau of Criminal Investigation.

            Multiple search warrants were executed on May 15, 2014 at DeJarnette’s residence and drug storage house, among others.  In total 8 firearms, 32 grams of heroin, 2 kilograms of cocaine, 1 kilogram of marijuana and 5 pounds of methamphetamine were seized by law enforcement out of this investigation.