Suspect sentenced to prison in Fostoria drug-related death case

Fostoria, Ohio — A suspect has been sentenced to 12 to 16 years in the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections following a guilty plea in a case involving the death of Dwaine D. Sexton.

Kegan W. Woodland, 31, was indicted on multiple charges related to drug trafficking and involuntary manslaughter, according to a press release from the Seneca County Drug Task Force – METRICH Enforcement Unit.

The incident occurred on January 14, 2021, when the Fostoria Police Department responded to a report of a deceased male at 727 Sandusky St. Upon arrival, officers discovered the lifeless body of 50-year-old Dwaine D. Sexton, who was suspected to have died from a drug overdose.

The Seneca County Drug Task Force – METRICH Enforcement Unit was called in to assist with the investigation. Agents from the task force identified Kegan W. Woodland as a suspect involved in providing the drugs that contributed to Mr. Sexton’s death.

In November of 2021, the Seneca County Grand Jury handed down a nine-count indictment against Woodland. The charges included trafficking in heroin, a fourth-degree felony, three counts of trafficking in a fentanyl related compound, with varying degrees of felony charges, complicity to trafficking in a fentanyl related compound, a fifth-degree felony, complicity to corrupting another with drugs, a second-degree felony, two counts of corrupting another with drugs, also second-degree felonies, and involuntary manslaughter, a first-degree felony.

Woodland, who had fled to California, was eventually apprehended and extradited back to Ohio in July of 2022. At that time, he was served with the indictments.

On Tuesday, Woodland entered a guilty plea to the aforementioned charges, accepting an agreed sentence recommendation. Judge Steve C. Shaft presided over the case and followed the joint sentence recommendation, sentencing Woodland to a total of 12 to 16 years in the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections.

Detective Brandon Bell, Unit Coordinator of the Seneca County Drug Task Force – METRICH Enforcement Unit, expressed support for the sentence, acknowledging that it cannot fully bring closure to Mr. Sexton’s family. Bell stated, “Unfortunately, no amount of time will bring closure to the family of Mr. Sexton, but we fully support this sentence and hope Mr. Woodland takes this time to better himself and reflect on the pain and destruction his actions have caused.”

In light of this case, Bell encouraged citizens to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to their local agencies or the Seneca County Drug Task Force – METRICH Enforcement Unit Hotline at 419-443-0463 ext. 1140.