David Paulette will be 92 years old before he can sell ginseng again.

The 62-year-old Malvern-area man was banned from selling the herb for 30 years after being convicted on six misdemeanor counts of not maintaining accurate records for his ginseng business.

Paulette, of 6210 Canton Rd. in Brown Township, pleaded guilty to the charges Wednesday in Carrollton Municipal Court. The court issued a three-year jail sentence, which was suspended. Paulette also was given a $6,000 fine and put on two years probation.

“He has already paid it,” Judge Gary Willen said. “They were more interested in making sure he wouldn’t be involved in the trade anymore.”

The investigation was conducted by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources’ Division of Wildlife.

Ginseng “is extremely valuable and a lot of illegal activity goes on in Ohio,” said Jamey Graham, a public relations officer for ODNR. The herb, which is used for medical purposes and as an aphrodisiac, is harvested by some people and sold under the table, according to Graham. The time of year that Ginseng may be harvested is regulated, he said.

“A lot of trespassing takes place because a lot of people are eager to dig it up,” said Graham.

When reached by phone Thursday, Paulette, who operates Paulette Furs, called the case a “farce” and declined further comment.