Man called ‘high profile meth drug dealer and user’ wants to change plea in Miami County drug case

Luke Sellman

Luke Sellman

A Miami County judge will decide if a Ludlow Falls man described by sheriff’s deputies at the time of his December arrest as a “high profile meth drug dealer and user” will be allowed to withdraw his guilty plea to aggravated possession of drugs.

Luke Sellman, 41, claimed during a hearing Friday in Miami County Common Pleas Court that he had difficulty reaching his defense lawyer, was provided inaccurate information about the possible sentence and that potential defenses were ignored.

The sheriff’s office said in announcing his arrest following execution of a search warrant at his home on Dec. 20 that they seized methamphetamines, scales, drug paraphernalia, firearms and about $3,000 in cash. Sellman pleaded guilty in June to the aggravated possession charge and agreed to forfeit the cash.

As part of the plea agreement, additional charges were dismissed, and prosecutors agreed not to seek other charges against him and a possible co-defendant.

A new defense lawyer, Laura Woodruff of Dayton, said it would be “unfair, unjust … not to allow Mr. Sellman … to get a second bite at the apple.” The motion to withdraw the plea was filed before Sellman’s sentencing date.

Janna Parker, assistant county prosecutor, questioned Troy defense lawyer Jay Lopez about this representation of Sellman from his arrest through the plea hearing. Lopez said he met several times with Sellman, that Sellman was involved in discussions of possible defenses and what route to take with the case and that he was told in detail the possibilities for a plea and sentence.

“He may not have liked it … he understood,” Lopez said.

Judge Christopher Gee, who presided over Sellman’s plea hearing, said he would file a written decision on the motion to withdraw the plea.

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