Man sentenced for 2023 fatal drug deal gone wrong

Watch a previous report of Cayon Drake appearing in court in the video player above.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- A Columbus man was sentenced to as much as 18 years in prison for a fatal double-shooting tied to a drug deal gone wrong in 2023.

Cayon Drake, 19, pleaded guilty Monday to two counts of involuntary manslaughter, one carrying a mandatory three-year firearms specification. He was sentenced to 15 to 18 years in prison with two to five years of post-release control when released.

In exchange for his plea, charges of aggravated robbery, aggravated murder, murder, felonious assault, discharge of a firearm on or near a prohibited premise, and improper handling of a firearm were all dropped.

According to police, officers responded to the 2000 block of East 10th Avenue on April 18, 2023, and found Antonie Moss Jr., 19, and Jeremy Heglar, 16, both suffering from gunshot wounds. Moss was pronounced dead at the scene while Heglar later died at the hospital.

Heglar and his girlfriend met Moss and Drake to buy drugs, court records show. Moss and Drake then got into the back seat of Heglar’s car, pulled out guns and shot Heglar. Helger then returned fire, killing Moss and shooting Drake in the arm. Drake ran from the car, shooting it several more times before running away.

Drake received six to nine years in prison plus an additional three years for the firearms specification for the first involuntary manslaughter charge, plus an additional six to nine years for the second involuntary manslaughter charge, all to be served consecutively.