Perry County Couple Face Drug Charges

A Perry County couple has been charged in connection with trafficking heroin in New Lexington.

The Perry County Grand Jury indicted Heather M. Valenzuela, 31, of New Lexington. Valenzuela was charged with three counts of trafficking in heroin, all fourth-degree felonies.

Valenzuela is accused of selling heroin to an agent working with the Central Ohio Drug Enforcement Task Force on two separate occasions from her 137 South Maple Heights home. Valenzuela shares the residence with her husband and their six minor children. The charges allege that Valenzuela was selling heroin in front of her children.

On April 14, authorities conducted a search of the Valenzuela’s home and seized more heroin. Also charged as a result of the incident was Valenzuela’s husband, Victor Francisco Valenzuela, 31, with three misdemeanor counts of permitting drug abuse.

Victor pleaded guilty to his charges and received a 30 day jail sentence and two years intensive probation. Heather’s case is pending in the Perry County Common Pleas Court. She was later released by the court on her own recognizance.