Ashland Woman Sentenced to Up to 15 Years for Fentanyl-Related Death
Tara Preece pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter, fentanyl trafficking and aggravated drug possession
ASHLAND — An Ashland County woman has been sentenced to a minimum of 10 years and a maximum of 15 years in prison after pleading guilty to involuntary manslaughter in connection with a fentanyl-related death.
Tara Preece, 37, appeared by video for sentencing July 27 before Ashland County Common Pleas Judge David R. Stimpert. She was represented by attorney Adam Vanho. Assistant Prosecutor Mathew Metcalf represented the state.
Preece previously pleaded guilty to:
Involuntary manslaughter, a first-degree felony
Trafficking in a fentanyl-related compound, a fifth-degree felony
Aggravated possession of drugs, a fifth-degree felony
According to the indictment, the case stemmed from events that occurred between Oct. 24 and Oct. 25, 2024, in Ashland County.
Prosecutors alleged Preece caused the death of Joshua Schoonover as the proximate result of committing or attempting to commit corrupting another with drugs and/or trafficking in a fentanyl-related compound.
The indictment alleged Preece knowingly sold or offered to sell a fentanyl-related substance during that time.
The aggravated possession charge involved methamphetamine that Preece was accused of possessing on or about Nov. 6, 2024.
Stimpert sentenced Preece to a minimum of 10 years and a maximum of 15 years on the involuntary manslaughter charge. The fentanyl-trafficking charge merged with the manslaughter charge for sentencing.
Preece also received a 12-month prison sentence for aggravated possession of drugs. That term will run concurrently with the manslaughter sentence.
However, Stimpert ordered the sentence in this case to be served consecutively to a prison term imposed in a separate Ashland County drug-trafficking case.
Previous drug-trafficking case
Court records show Case No. 24-CRI-290 originated with a complaint filed against Preece on Nov. 7, 2024.
In a bond recommendation, prosecutors said law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Preece’s Ashland residence and allegedly discovered methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia and suspected fentanyl.
Preece was later indicted on five drug-related charges:
Trafficking in a fentanyl-related compound, a fourth-degree felony
Two counts of aggravated trafficking in drugs, both third-degree felonies
Trafficking in cocaine, a fourth-degree felony
Aggravated possession of drugs, a fifth-degree felony
The indictment alleged Preece trafficked fentanyl and methamphetamine on Oct. 15, 2024, methamphetamine on Oct. 16 and cocaine on Oct. 17.
Prosecutors alleged all four trafficking offenses occurred in the vicinity of the Montessori Preschool at Trinity Lutheran Church.
One of the methamphetamine-trafficking counts involved approximately .529 grams, according to the indictment.
The aggravated possession charge alleged Preece possessed approximately 2.509 grams of methamphetamine on Nov. 6, 2024, the same date law enforcement reportedly executed the search warrant at her residence.
Court records referenced in the current manslaughter case show Preece was convicted of trafficking in drugs in Case No. 24-CRI-290 on Feb. 20, 2025. The prison sentence imposed in the involuntary manslaughter case must be served after the prison term from that earlier case.
At Preece’s initial bond hearing in November 2024, Magistrate Paul T. Lange set bond at $5,000, either through a 10% cash deposit, surety bond or cash.
Conditions prohibited Preece from leaving Ohio without permission and from possessing or consuming drugs or alcohol. She was also ordered to undergo a drug and alcohol assessment, comply with recommended treatment and participate in the court’s drug-testing program.
Judge orders consecutive punishment
In the current case, Stimpert found consecutive sentences were necessary to punish Preece or protect the public from future crime and were not disproportionate to the seriousness of her conduct or the danger she posed.
Stimpert also found that the offenses were part of one or more courses of conduct, that the harm was so great or unusual that a single prison term would not adequately reflect the seriousness of the conduct, and that Preece’s criminal history demonstrated consecutive sentences were necessary to protect the public.
Preece was originally indicted on 11 counts in the current case, including two counts of involuntary manslaughter, corrupting another with drugs, fentanyl trafficking, multiple drug-possession charges and permitting drug abuse.
Court records also list previous Ashland County drug-related convictions for Preece dating back to 2017.
Following her prison term, Preece will be subject to a mandatory two to five years of post-release control. She received credit for two days spent in the Ashland County Jail through July 27, along with credit for additional time served while awaiting transportation.
Preece was remanded to the custody of the Ashland County Sheriff’s Office for transportation to the Ohio Reformatory for Women in Marysville.
She was also ordered to pay court costs and was advised of her right to appeal.
Editor’s note: Charges contained in an indictment are allegations unless resolved through a guilty plea or conviction. Preece pleaded guilty to the three offenses for which she was sentenced in Case No. 25-CRI-132. Court records also document a prior drug-trafficking conviction in Case No. 24-CRI-290.
