WILMINGTON — A local man received a 24-month prison term for reckless homicide in a case where police say the fatal victim of an overdose was permitted to ingest the lethal amount of drugs by the defendant who filmed the victim’s reaction to the drug and then “waited a significant amount of time” before calling 9-1-1.
Glenn T. Arledge Jr., 35, of Wilmington, pled guilty to the charge of reckless homicide, a third-degree felony, in the death of Donald Cox II, 32, from Wilmington, who died in April 2017.
After the sentencing hearing this month, Arledge filed a notice of appeal. The filing also requested that legal counsel be appointed to represent him in the appeal.
Wilmington Police Department Chief Detective Josh Riley spoke about the case this past summer after Arledge was arrested and jailed. The chief detective said the initial investigation determined Cox’s death was attributed to a potential overdose of heroin or a heroin-and-fentanyl mixture.
An in-depth investigation into the incident led to the determination that Arledge permitted Cox to use an illegal drug inside his home, Riley told the News Journal.
“During Mr. Cox’s use of the drug Mr. Arledge filmed his reaction. Mr. Cox went into a state of overdose and began to have life-threatening issues. Instead of immediately contacting emergency services to assist Mr. Cox, Mr. Arledge waited a significant amount of time. When he eventually called 9-1-1 he attempted to portray a story line of waking up to find Mr. Cox in his current state,” stated Riley.
For the summer 2018 News Journal report, Riley said, “Many see the individual user as the sole person responsible for their actions. However, there are many players involved in this circle of death and until each person associated with a death is held accountable, the circle continues for another addicted user.
“We cannot and will not ignore those who take advantage of someone’s addiction for profit or pleasure, and will do our best to pursue charges against anyone involved,” Riley added.
At the sentencing hearing presided by Judge William B. McCracken (retired), Arledge was granted credit for 151 days already spent in jail.
A court paper says the crime of reckless homicide in Ohio is punishable by prison terms of the following durations: nine months, 12 months, 18 months, 24 months, 30 months, or 36 months, and a possible fine of up to $10,000, or both prison and a fine.
In the sentencing paperwork, McCracken wrote, “Given the defendant’s life history, the court might consider favorably a motion for [early] judicial release but makes no guarantee relief would be granted.”
Reach Gary Huffenberger at 937-556-5768.
