Ohioan suspected of using 6-year-old son as part of drug trafficking

ROOTSTOWN, Ohio (AP) — Authorities in northeast Ohio say a man charged with drug trafficking is suspected of using his 6-year-old son to help him sell cocaine.

Maj. Dale Kelly of the Portage County Sheriff’s Office says investigators believe the boy was used to take drugs to a buyer and bring payment back to the seller.

Court records show 29-year-old William K. Smith of Chagrin Falls was arrested last week in Streetsboro and charged with felony drug trafficking and corrupting another with drugs.

Investigators say an 8-year-old child and a 15-month-old child also were present during the alleged drug transaction earlier this month.

The sheriff’s office says the arrest followed a monthlong investigation.