A Ross County woman is now serving a lengthy prison sentence following a drug and weapons case that progressed through the court system in 2025.
According to court records, Melissa A. Bray, 44, was sentenced on January 7, 2026, in Ross County Common Pleas Court after being found guilty on multiple felony charges.
Bray was convicted of:
Aggravated Possession of Drugs (F2) Possession of Cocaine (F3) Three counts of Having Weapons Under Disability (F3)
Court documents show the case originated with an indictment filed on May 23, 2025, followed by the issuance of a warrant the same day. The case proceeded through pre-trial hearings and was ultimately resolved prior to trial.
Judge Michael Ater sentenced Bray to:
8 to 12 years on the second-degree felony drug charge (mandatory) 36 months on the remaining felony counts
All sentences were ordered to be served concurrently, resulting in an aggregate sentence of 8 to 12 years in prison.
Bray was given 96 days of jail-time credit.
She is currently incarcerated at the Ohio Reformatory for Women, with an expected parole eligibility or release date of October 14, 2033, according to the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction.
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