Willshire Woman Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison on Drug Charge

WAPAKONETA — A Willshire woman has been sentenced to 10 years in prison following a drug case stemming from an April traffic stop in Auglaize County.

Nicole Cooper, 43, was sentenced Wednesday in Auglaize County Common Pleas Court to 10 years in prison and five years of post-release control on one count of possession of drugs with specifications, a first-degree felony.

Cooper is not eligible for judicial release, meaning she is expected to serve the full 10-year prison term.

Prosecutors had requested a seven-year sentence, while defense attorney Nick Catania asked for five years. Judge Fredrick Pepple imposed the longer sentence after reviewing a pre-sentence investigation that included previous convictions for similar offenses and multiple OVI convictions. The court also noted that Cooper’s most recent offense occurred while she was on community control.

Cooper was arrested in late April following a traffic stop along Interstate 75 near Wapakoneta.

According to the Auglaize County Sheriff’s Office, a K-9 was brought to the scene and gave a positive indication on the vehicle. Deputies searched the vehicle and reported finding approximately 1.5 pounds of suspected methamphetamine along with more than $800 in cash.

Cooper had remained incarcerated at the Auglaize County Jail since her arrest.

In late May, she pleaded guilty to one of two charges filed against her. The remaining charge was dismissed by prosecutors as part of the case.

The GMC Envoy involved in the traffic stop and approximately $800 in cash were ordered forfeited to Auglaize County.