What started as a simple traffic stop led to a prison sentence for 60-year-old Thomas Welsh.

Welsh was stopped by Ohio State Highway Patrol Trooper Matt Dyer for a license plate violation in June of 2022.  Trooper Dyer saw open containers and smelled alcohol coming from the car.  As the trooper was conducting his investigation, Welsh pulled a meth pipe from his pocket.  A probable cause search revealed a small baggie of meth in Welsh's pocket.  

Welsh asked to talk to drug detectives, and Trooper Dyer contacted MADE Task Force detectives.  During the interview, Welsh admitted to selling meth "24-hours a day" in the Magnetic Springs area in "eight-ball" and "quarter ounce" amounts.   Welsh reported having two sources of supply, one in Marion and one in Columbus.  Welsh had reportedly filled the vacuum created when another area drug dealer was arrested and jailed. 

Learning from other sources that Welsh was continuing his drug trafficking operation, detectives arranged to make controlled buys from Welsh, buying an "eight-ball" and then an ounce of meth.  A third controlled buy for two ounces of meth was aborted after the confidential informant was seen  "nodding off" during the buy,  reportedly on sleeping medication.  Concerned for her well-being, detectives interceded,  recovering  the $1,000 in buy money from Welsh. 

Prior to his indictment, Welsh was stopped by a UCSO K-9 officer and found to be in possession of a half of an ounce of meth hidden in his shorts. 

While waiting for drug lab results necessary to indict Welsh,  Welsh was involved in a fight resulting in a knife wound to another man.  The residents who witnessed the fight reported at first that another man stabbed the victim.  Later, witnesses recanted, saying Welsh admitted to "stabbing the m----f----!"  Welsh was arrested and jailed.

Welsh pleaded guilty to drug trafficking offenses with a school zone specification and drug possession offenses and aggravated assault.  Today, Union County Court of Common Pleas judge sentenced Welsh to a combined indefinite term of 13 to 16 years in prison, 10 years of which is mandatory time.