Former Clermont County assistant prosecutor admits trading legal services for meth

Cathy Adams, a former Clermont County assistant prosecutor, admitted Wednesday in federal court that she traded her legal services for methamphetamine.

Adams appeared before Judge Douglas Cole and pleaded guilty to participating in a large narcotics conspiracy.

A federal indictment unsealed in October 2019 showed a total of 28 people were charged in connection with the distribution of at least a pound of meth.

In court, Adams admitted that she used and sold meth for the group as well as trading her services for the drug between March 2018 and June 2019. Prosecutors also said she gave the drug to another person as well.

Among the defendants were people who went by the nicknames "Cooter," "MILF" and "Old Girl," as well a mother and her son.

Prosecutors said the group was also under investigation for fentanyl and weapons trafficking. Several of the defendants faced weapons charges.

Prosecutors accused the group of using residences in Adams, Brown and Highland counties to distribute controlled substances.

Cathy Adams was an assistant prosecutor in Clermont County between 2013 and 2015, according to her LinkedIn page. She also previously worked as a public defender in the county.

After her initial appearance in court, Adams was released to wait for other hearings at home. She was barred from obtaining a passport and could not travel outside of the southern half Ohio. A judge ordered her to participate in substance-abuse testing and treatment.

On Wednesday, Judge Cole said she could remain at home to await a sentencing hearing

Also charged in the conspiracy are: Angelo Collins and his son, Joe Collins, of Brown County; Charity Cope; Fred Cupp; Lisa Davis; Nathan Fender; Amy Johnson; Raymond Johnson; Jeremy Dale Jones; Melissa Koller; Mark Koller; Adam May; Donald Lee McKenzie; Jacob Pack; Daniel Pack; Carl Spriggs; Joey Webb; Scotty Shaffer Jr.; Scotty Wagner; Preslee Winters; and Alexandra Grace Workman.

Adams faces up to 20 years in prison and a minimum of three years probation. The details of the plea agreement and any sentence it may contain have not been released.

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