HAMILTON — Two Kentucky men have pleaded guilty to drug and weapons charges involving $12,500 worth of OxyContin.

        Jesse Jones, 48, of Flat Lick, Ky., and Richard Rickett, 38, of London, Ky., pleaded guilty as charged on Tuesday, a day before their case was scheduled to go to trial in Butler County Common Pleas Court, said Assistant Prosecutor Craig Hedric.

        “The (sheriff's) vice unit did a great job of setting up this buy — and, again, it shows how pervasive this drug is becoming, and how much of a problem it is,” Mr. Hedric said.

        Each defendant pleaded guilty to aggravated trafficking and carrying a loaded, concealed weapon. Those charges carry a maximum total jail sentence of 9 1/2 years.

        Mr. Jones also pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of permitting drug abuse, which is punishable by up to six months in jail.

        As a result of the case, authorities seized a gun, more than $1,200 in cash and a 1993 BMW.

        The men's sentencing is set for June 6 before Judge Michael J. Sage.

Riot response: jobs for teens
Riot to cost city at least $1.5 million
Riots affected suit, lawyer says
Mold forces school to close classrooms
MTV show gets blame for stunt
School plan openness urged
After century of decline, river quality recovering
Cemetery official charged with theft
Church donates $224,000 for kids
Community center has closed meeting
Debate continues about faith-based programs
Fax leak shattered drug probe, police say
Florence given baseball deadline
Grand jury looking into beanbag case
Guard convicted in prison van crash
Henry: Reimbursements minimal
Illness cited for woman in abuse case
Kentucky installs poet laureate
Kentucky to pay TV figure Walsh $20K for speech
Mason-Montgomery Rd. to widen
Two plead guilty to charges in OxyContin case
Reading teachers resign after e-mail investigation
SAMPLES: Impact of one
Schools graded on discipline
Steger freezes most hiring at UC
Suicide at hospital under investigation
Suspect nabbed inside elementary school
Suspect's statement OK for trial
Kentucky News Briefs
Tristate A.M. Report