Local Veterinarian Indicted for prescription drug trafficking
Muskingum County Prosecutor Mike Haddox and Sheriff Matt Lutz Friday announced that a 2 ½ year multi- agency investigation into a local prescription drug trafficking ring has ended with the indictment of a local veterinarian and three accomplices.
Dr. Michael E. Smith was indicted by a Muskingum County Grand Jury on several drug related charges. These charges stem from an investigation into illegal prescriptions and drug trafficking. Smith was indicted on (15) counts of Trafficking in Drugs Hydromorphone (Dilaudid) a felony of the 2nd degree, (1) count of Trafficking in Drugs Hydromorphone (Dilaudid) a felony of the 3rd degree, (19) counts of Illegal Processing of drug documents a felony of the 4th degree, and (2) counts of Having Weapons Under disability a felony of the 3rd degree.
Travis E. Ryan was indicted on (1) count of Deception to Obtain Dangerous Drugs, Hydromorphone (Dilaudid) a felony of the 2nd degree, Possession of Drugs, (Oxycodone/ APAP) a felony of the 3rd degree, Deception to Obtain Dangerous Drugs, (Oxycodone/ APAP) a felony of the 3rd degree and Illegal Processing of Drug Documents, Hydromorphone (Dilaudid) a felony of the 4th degree.
Eryn R. Smith, son to Dr. Mike Smith, was indicted on (1) count of Trafficking in Drugs, Hydromorphone (Diluadid) a felony of the 2nd degree and Illegal Processing of Drug Documents, Hydromorphone (Dilaudid) a felony of the 4th degree.
This investigation began when members of the community and local pharmacy’s alerted the Muskingum County Sheriff’s Office, Ohio Board of Pharmacy, Zanesville Police Department, and Central Ohio Drug Enforcement Task Force to suspicious prescriptions.
As a result of a search warrant served at the Sally Road residence of Smith, guns, drugs and records were seized. These agencies along with the Muskingum County Prosecutor’s Office and the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) assisted one another and pulled various resources to make this investigation a success.
