A 35-year-old Ashville man was sentenced to 22 and a half years in federal prison for selling drugs from a Hilliard hotel room. Agents found kilograms of narcotics and 18 firearms at the Red Roof Inn.
U.S. District Judge Michael H. Watson sentenced Samuel A. Griffith on Tuesday, Oct. 6, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Ohio. The 270-month sentence followed Griffith's April guilty plea to six federal drug and gun charges.
What agents found
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, citing court documents, Griffith sold fentanyl, methamphetamine and cocaine from a room at the Red Roof Inn in Hilliard in October 2025.
When agents executed a search warrant at the hotel room, they recovered more than four kilograms of meth, more than a kilogram of fentanyl, a partial kilogram of cocaine, 18 firearms and nearly $40,000 in cash, WBNS reported. Four kilograms of meth is roughly 8.8 pounds.
The charges
Griffith pleaded guilty in April to six counts:
- Distribution of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine
- Distribution of 40 grams or more of fentanyl
- Possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl
- Possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine
- Possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine
- Illegal possession of a firearm as a felon
Griffith had prior felony convictions for robbery, aggravated possession of drugs and having weapons under disability. As a convicted felon, he was prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition.
Who announced the sentence
U.S. Attorney Dominick S. Gerace II announced the sentence alongside Jorge Rosendo, special agent in charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF); Fairfield County Sheriff Alex Lape; Ohio State Highway Patrol Superintendent Col. Charles A. Jones; and Columbus Police Chief Elaine Bryant.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin W. Kelley prosecuted the case.
