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Cincinnati man guilty in jail drug smuggling ring that led to inmate's death

Posted at 8:22 PM, Jun 22, 2018
and last updated 2018-06-22 20:22:21-04

COVINGTON, Ky. -- A federal jury convicted a Cincinnati man Friday for his role in conspiring to distribute carfentanil in the Boone County Jail Work Camp which resulted in the death of an inmate.

Johnny Shelton, 41, is guilty of conspiracy to distribute carfentanil resulting in death, the Department of Justice announced Friday.

Carfentanil is an opioid 10,000 times more potent than morphine.

Shelton led a conspiracy to smuggle the drug into the jail work camp in October 2016, according to testimony given during the trial. Fellow inmate Timothy Marcum used some if it and died.

Sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 18. Shelton faces a sentence of up to life in prison due to prior felony drug trafficking convictions.

Two other members of the smuggling ring have also been convicted. Chad Prodoehl was sentenced to 20 years in prison for conspiracy. Gordon Wanser is awaiting sentencing.