CIRCLEVILLE, Ohio — A local man has entered a guilty plea to multiple felony drug charges following a high-profile traffic stop that uncovered significant quantities of cocaine and fentanyl.
Dallas B. Luckart pleaded guilty this week to Possession of Cocaine and Possession of a Fentanyl-Related Compound. The charges stem from an April 19, 2025, incident where law enforcement seized over 60 grams of illicit narcotics during a stop on East Main Street.
The Traffic Stop
According to investigative reports from the Pickaway County Sheriff’s Office, the encounter began around 8:50 p.m. when Corporal Brandon Cooper observed a red 2018 Chevrolet Cruze traveling eastbound on West Main Street without visible registration.
After the vehicle failed to stop behind the designated line at a red light at South Scioto Street, Cpl. Cooper initiated a traffic stop. The driver, identified as Luckart, was found to be driving with a suspended license.
K9 Alert and Search
While Luckart was described as “polite and respectful,” officers noted a sharp change in his behavior and tone when questioned about his travel history. Suspicious of the driver’s “deceptive” responses, Cpl. Cooper requested assistance from the Circleville Police Department.
Officer Sanford arrived with his K9 partner, Dexter, who performed an open-air sniff around the vehicle. Dexter alerted to the odor of narcotics, providing officers with probable cause to conduct a search.
During the search, Corporal Cooper discovered a clear plastic baggie on the driver’s side floorboard containing two smaller baggies. According to evidence logs, the search yielded:
- 56.8 grams of suspected Cocaine
- 7.5 grams of suspected Fentanyl
Investigation and Plea
Initially, Luckart claimed he had no knowledge of the drugs, noting that the vehicle belonged to a friend. However, Detective Bailey and Detective Carver were called to the scene to conduct an interview.
During the investigation, Luckart reportedly admitted that the baggies contained cocaine and fentanyl. Although he was initially released from the scene to act as an asset for further drug trafficking investigations, the case proceeded through the court system, leading to this week’s guilty plea.
Luckart has been sentenced to serve 5-6 years at ODRC. Charges will be served consecutively to each other.
