Lacking also was ordered to be supervised for three years upon his release and perform 100 hours of community service.
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The agreed-upon range for Lacking’s sentence was from 48 to 77 months due to two previous heroin trafficking sentences in Butler County.
“You’ve created this ball and chain on you … history shows no evidence that you respect the law,” Rose told Lacking, adding that if he gets more violations after his release he’ll face longer sentences due to his criminal history. “You’re basically throwing your life away. Don’t come back (to court).”
Lacking said he’s hung out with the “wrong people at the wrong time” and is tired of being behind bars like he has been for half of his adult life.
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“I’ve been on my own for a long time and made a lot of mistakes,” Lacking said. “Seeing my own kids grow up without me. I don’t want to spend more time of my life locked up.”
Assistant U.S. attorney Brent Tabacchi said Lacking’s criminal history is “pretty lengthy” for a young man, but Tabacchi said Lacking could become a “productive member of society.”
Defense attorney James Fleisher wrote in a sentencing memorandum that Lacking grew up in Dayton’s “projects,” mostly without a father, with learning disabilities and has always been a follower instead of a leader.
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Fleisher said in court that Lacking has skills in mechanics and is a good cook. The attorney said that despite his client’s troubling past, there is “reason for hope for Mr. Lacking’s future.”
Federal criminal complaints show that starting in October 2016, Lacking, Decenta Brown and Phillip Parks were being investigated regarding drug trafficking and firearms offenses.
Federal Bureau of Investigation special agent Robert Buzzard wrote that during a Dec. 18 live video, “(Decenta)Brown and one of his known associates possess handguns and make threats to shoot people.”
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Brown was sentenced earlier this year to 27 months in prison. Parks, whom Tabacchi said was caught with drugs, is scheduled to be sentenced Sept. 13.
Court documents show a Federal Bureau of Investigation task force spotted four people leave a Dayton residence on Negley Place in a green Pontiac Grand Prix on Jan. 18.
When Dayton police attempted a stop, the occupants fled and Lacking was seen dropping a cell phone and loaded Springfield Armory gun and magazine that matched one seen on Facebook.
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