Ohio man sentenced to 200 months in prison for narcotics distribution

CINCINNATI — A Butler County man was sentenced today to 200 months in federal prison for his role in a narcotics trafficking conspiracy involving at least 11 kilograms of drugs, including cocaine and fentanyl.

Eric Jason Clark, 42, of Fairfield, was convicted in February 2024 following a bench trial in U.S. District Court.

Senior U.S. District Judge Michael R. Barrett handed down the sentence, which also includes 20 years of supervised release after Clark completes his prison term.

Court documents and trial evidence revealed that Clark was involved in the distribution of large quantities of cocaine and fentanyl in the Cincinnati area.

His criminal activities also extended to Los Angeles, where he had contacts involved in drug trafficking.

In May 2021, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) intercepted information indicating that Clark had expressed interest in purchasing 10 kilograms of cocaine from a Los Angeles supplier.

Later that month, Clark arranged a local meeting with a confidential informant, during which he discussed the purchase of both cocaine and fentanyl, referring to the fentanyl as “China.”

Clark was arrested in August 2021 after agents discovered five kilograms of fentanyl and cocaine in his car, along with over $204,000 in cash and multiple cell phones.

Investigators also uncovered an additional six kilograms of drugs and firearms at a stash house in Cincinnati, as well as more than $15,000 in cash at his Fairfield residence.

At the time of his arrest, Clark was on federal supervised release after serving a 15-year sentence for a previous drug offense.

He had been convicted of attempting to possess cocaine with intent to distribute.

U.S. Attorney Kenneth L. Parker, DEA Special Agent in Charge Orville O. Greene, Ohio State Highway Patrol Superintendent Col. Charles A. Jones, and Cincinnati Police Chief Teresa A. Theetge announced the sentencing.

The case was prosecuted by Criminal Chief Christy L. Muncy and Assistant U.S. Attorney David P. Dornette.