ROSS COUNTY, Ohio — A Dayton man already serving a prison sentence in Ross County has filed an appeal of his conviction while continuing to face multiple additional felony drug cases in Ross County Common Pleas Court.
Court records show James M. Smoot, of Dayton, has been named in several felony drug cases filed in Ross County over the past several years. Some of those cases have resulted in prison time, while others remain pending before the court.
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Case 24CR000286 – Drug Trafficking Convictions
In case number 24CR000286, Smoot was charged with multiple high-level drug offenses, including trafficking and possession charges.
Court records show a jury trial was held in December 2025, where Smoot was found guilty on several felony drug charges. The court later imposed a mandatory prison sentence, and Smoot is currently serving that sentence within the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction.
Court filings indicate Smoot has since filed an appeal challenging the conviction.
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Case 24CR161 – Prior Ross County Case
Court records also reference case number 24CR161, another Ross County Common Pleas Court case involving Smoot. The case appears in later filings due to its connection with Smoot’s other criminal proceedings in the county.
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Case 25CR242 – Additional Ross County Drug Case
In case number 25CR242, Smoot was again named in a Ross County Common Pleas Court case involving felony drug allegations.
The case was referenced in later court filings as one of several related matters assigned to the same judge due to Smoot’s ongoing involvement in multiple Ross County cases.
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Case 25CR000333 – Multiple Drug Possession Charges
In case number 25CR000333, Smoot was indicted on August 1, 2025, on several felony drug charges, including:
• Aggravated Possession of Drugs – Felony of the First Degree
• Possession of a Fentanyl-Related Compound – Felony of the First Degree
• Possession of Cocaine – Felony of the First Degree
• Possession of Heroin – Felony of the Fourth Degree
Court records show Smoot posted a $100,000 surety bond through a bail bondsman following the indictment.
The case remains undisposed and continues to move through Ross County Common Pleas Court.
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Case 26CR000014 – New Fentanyl Charge Filed in 2026
A newer case, 26CR000014, was filed on January 9, 2026, charging Smoot with:
• Possession of a Fentanyl-Related Compound – Felony of the First Degree
Court records show the Ross County Prosecutor requested the issuance of a warrant upon indictment, and a warrant to arrest was issued the same day.
A court entry filed shortly afterward notes the defendant is going to prison out of another case.
The case was assigned to Ross County Common Pleas Judge Matthew S. Schmidt due to Smoot’s involvement in several other Ross County cases.
According to court records, a jury trial in this case is scheduled for June 16, 2026, at 8:30 a.m.
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Ongoing Court Proceedings
Court filings show the various cases have included multiple hearings, motions, and subpoenas issued to law enforcement officers involved in the investigations.
As with all criminal cases, the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
Heritage Headlines will continue to follow Ross County court records and provide updates as new developments occur.
