ASHLAND — An Ashland couple that was arrested last month on drug charges has been indicted on a charge of involuntary manslaughter in connection with an August overdose death.
According to a press release from Ashland County Prosecutor Christopher Tunnell, Christopher and Danielle Luce were indicted by a grand jury Thursday on a total of 11 counts – nine related to the August events and two counts related to their arrest last month.
The new charges are tied to the August 2016 death of Ashland resident Jeffrey Sanders who was found dead in his home at the Almond Tree Inn on Aug. 9 from an apparent drug overdose. Sanders had carfentanil in his system.
According to the press release, Ashland police started investigating after Christopher Luce overdosed on Aug. 8 at their Cleveland Avenue home. He was transported to University Hospitals Samaritan Medical Center for treatment. Police questioned both Luces following Christopher’s overdose.
METRICH and Ashland Police Det. Brian Evans were able to link the two incidents based on cell phone evidence and interviews with witnesses.
The Luces were arrested Feb. 16 by officers from the U.S. Marshals Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force at a home in Akron. The pair was being sought after Ashland Police and the METRICH enforcement unit executed a search warrant at their residence, 173 Lincoln Ave., on Feb. 10. Officers seized suspected crystal methamphetamine, drug abuse instruments and prescribed drugs at their home.
The indictment charges the Luces with involuntary manslaughter, a first-degree felony; corrupting another with drugs, a second-degree felony; two counts of aggravated trafficking in drugs, both fifth-degree felonies and three other misdemeanor charges in connection to the August incident.
They were also indicted for aggravated possession of drugs, a fifth-degree felony and two other misdemeanor charges in the February incident.
Danielle Luce is scheduled to appear in court Monday, March 13, and Christopher Luce will be arraigned on Tuesday, March 14.
Christopher Luce’s mother, Sharon Parker, also was indicted on two counts of obstructing justice for allegedly providing transportation and other means for her son and his wife to elude authorities.
