CARROLLTON, Ohio — The trial for Matthew Little was set to start on Monday morning for his role in the death of 14-year-old Jonathan Minard. However, Little accepted a plea deal before the trial even started.
The 31-year-old Little pleaded guilty to four charges including involuntary manslaughter, tampering with evidence, endangering children and gross abuse of a corpse.
Little was sentenced to six to nine years in prison and agreed to waive all rights to an appeal.
The case stretches back to April of 2019 when a search was triggered after Jonathan was reported missing. His body was found a few days later buried in a shallow grave on a Washington Township farm. His cause of death was ruled a homicide by "acute fentanyl intoxication."
At the time bond was set, the judge ordered several restrictions pending Little’s potential release on bond. These include ankle monitoring, having no contact with the Minard family, and travel limitations.
Court records show Little has a lengthy criminal history, with numerous charges for drug and gun crimes.