Early release for Ohio crack convictions

COLUMBUS (AP) — The federal probation office has determined that 256 crack-cocaine dealers are likely eligible for early prison release under a change in sentencing guidelines.

The offenders include defendants convicted by the federal court that covers Columbus, Dayton and Cincinnati, among other cities in the southern half of Ohio.

Federal prosecutors will object to early release in about 80 cases but agree with the probation office’s determination of the rest.

The U.S. Sentencing Commission decided last spring to ease crack cocaine sentences after years of complaints about disparities over crack and powdered cocaine.

It used to be that drug dealers and users could be sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for having 5 grams of crack cocaine.

But it took 500 grams of powdered cocaine to prompt the same sentence.