Hillsboro man sentenced to community control in Task Force case

A Hillsboro man charged in connection with a Highland County task force investigation earlier this year was sentenced this week to community control on a charge of trafficking methamphetamine.

Billy Rhoads, 60, was indicted in May on five charges, including two counts of aggravated trafficking in methamphetamine, both fourth-degree felonies; two counts of aggravated possession of methamphetamine, both fifth-degree felonies; and a seizure specification.

Rhoads pleaded guilty to one of the trafficking charges in June, according to court records. The indictment alleged that on or about July 7, 2022, Rhoads sold 0.47 grams of methamphetamine to a confidential informant (CI) working with the Task Force. The transaction allegedly took place at Rhoads’ residence.

The other four charges were dismissed.

During an Aug. 7 sentencing hearing, Highland County Common Pleas Court Judge Rocky Coss sentenced Rhoads to three years of community control and ordered him to successfully complete substance use disorder treatment. Rhoads was also ordered to pay a $5,000 fine as well as $100 in restitution to the task force.

As previously reported, local law enforcement executed search warrants and made multiple arrests in the Hillsboro, Greenfield and Rocky Fork Lake areas on May 9 after a Highland County grand jury handed up 15 indictments in connection with the investigations to the Highland County Task Force.

The charges were the result of continued work by the Highland County Task Force and local law enforcement partners in the county to stop drug trafficking in the area. Highland County Task Force, Highland County Sheriff’s Office, Hillsboro Police Department and Greenfield Police Department officers participated in the May 9 arrest summary.

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