Northern District of Ohio

A Bloomdale man was indicted on multiple charges related to a chase in which he lit and threw bottles of explosive chemicals at law enforcement officers, said David A. Sierleja, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio.

 

William B. Milliron, 45, was charged with assault on federal officers, possession and use of a destructive device during a crime of violence, manufacturing and possessing methamphetamine and being a felon in possession of ammunition.

 

U.S. Marshals were searching for Milliron near Bowling Green on Feb. 24 because of a probation violation in Florida. They spotted Milliron and attempted to pull over Milliron, who fled. Marshals pursued and officers from the North Baltimore Police Department joined the chase, according to court documents.

 

Milliron began throwing bottles containing unknown substances at the pursuing cars, and one of the bottles exploded on the front end and windshield of the police vehicle, according to court documents.

 

The pursuit continued into Fostoria and then Findlay, when Milliron’s vehicle went off the road and crashed. Milliron was arrested and had 13 rounds of live ammunition in his pants pocket, according to court documents.

 

The substance in the bottles was found to be a combination of chemicals used to manufacture methamphetamine. The chemicals are highly volatile, toxic and combustible. The bottles had paper wicks which were charred from being lit on fire, according to court documents.

 

Milliron has multiple felony convictions in Florida for crimes including grand theft of firearms, resisting an officer with violence, battery on an officer, manufacture of methamphetamine and other crimes, according to court documents.

 

If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the court after reviewing factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, the defendant’s role in the offense and the characteristics of the violation. In all cases the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and in most cases it will be less than the maximum.

 

The investigating agency in this case is the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Marshals Service. The case is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Thomas P. Weldon

 

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. Defendants are entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

An Akron man pleaded guilty to selling fentanyl that caused a fatal overdose last year, law enforcement officials said.

Steven D. Daniels, 32, is scheduled to be sentenced July 13. He pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of fentanyl that resulted in death.

Daniels sold fentanyl that caused the fatal overdose of a person identified in the indictment as T.B on April 2, 2016 in Akron, according to court documents.

“We continue to seek long prison sentences for drug dealers who sell opioids that kill our children, friends and neighbors,” Acting U.S. Attorney David A. Sierleja said. “Aggressive prosecution, combined with increased treatment, prevention and changes in prescribing practices are key to turning the tide on the heroin and opioid epidemic.”

DEA Special Agent in Charge Tim Plancon said: "The job of the DEA is to identify, disrupt and dismantle drug trafficking organizations that are distributing the dangerous and illegal fentanyl-based substances that have been responsible for countless deaths in the United States. When dealers provide illegal drugs to victims and the substances' use results in bodily harm or death, the DEA -- with the support from our law enforcement partners -- will continue to mobilize resources and personnel to investigate, arrest and successfully prosecute the people responsible."

 

"This case represents the tragic toll of addiction, and the efforts of the Akron Police Department to combat this health epidemic," Akron Police Chief James Nice said. "Law enforcement partners are hopeful that significant penalties for criminal participants will be part of a multifaceted approach that will save lives and reduce the suffering of survivors. We are proud of the investigative work that leads to accountability for drug dealers. We are also hopeful that our efforts help many that are coping with great loss."

 

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Henry F. DeBaggis following an investigation by the Akron Police Department and Drug Enforcement Administration.

If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the court after a review of the federal sentencing guidelines and factors unique to the case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record (if any), the defendant’s role in the offense and the characteristics of the violation.

Two Orrville men were indicted for selling fentanyl that resulted in a fatal overdose, law enforcement officials said.

 

Kenneth L. Johnson, 44, and Joseph N. Carpenter, 33, were indicted on one count of distribution of fentanyl. That count carries a sentencing enhancement because the fentanyl they sold resulted in a death. Johnson faces an additional count of distribution of fentanyl.

 

Johnson and Carpenter on Dec. 2, 2016, met with Drew Eberly at 316 North Ella Street in Orrville and sold him fentanyl. Eberly subsequently overdosed and died from the fentanyl, according to court documents.

 

Carpenter told investigators that he set up the sale in which Eberly purchased $20 worth of drugs from Johnson, according to court documents.

 

Johnson also distributed fentanyl on Dec. 3, according to court documents.

 

“We continue to seek long prison sentences for drug dealers who sell opioids that kill our children, friends and neighbors,” Acting U.S. Attorney David A. Sierleja said. “Aggressive prosecution, combined with increased treatment, prevention and changes in prescribing practices are key to turning the tide on the heroin and opioid epidemic.”

 

DEA Special Agent in Charge Tim Plancon said: "The job of the DEA is to identify, disrupt and dismantle drug trafficking organizations that are distributing the dangerous and illegal fentanyl-based substances that have been responsible for countless deaths in the United States. When dealers provide illegal drugs to victims and the substances' use results in bodily harm or death, the DEA -- with the support from our law enforcement partners -- will continue to mobilize resources and personnel to investigate, arrest and successfully prosecute the people responsible."

 

“The speed with which these arrests were made likely saved lives,” said Orrville Police Chief Matt Birkbeck. “This case sends a message to others engaged in this behavior that the time for warnings is over. These cases are being taken very seriously.”

 

“The MEDWAY Drug Enforcement Agency will continue to collaborate and work closely with our local and federal partners to hold people accountable for their actions who are involved in trafficking drugs in our communities and bring them to justice,” MEDWAY Director Donald J. Hall said. “A very strong message is being sent to those involved when they are indicted federally.”

 

If convicted, the defendants’ sentences will be determined by the court after review of factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, the defendant’s role in the offense and the characteristics of the violations. In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and, in most cases, it will be less than the maximum.

 

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron P. Howell following an investigation by the Orrville Police Department, the Medina/Wayne County Drug Task Force (MEDWAY) and the DEA, with assistance from the Wayne County Coroner’s Office.

 

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

Two Toledo-area men were sentenced to prison for stealing more than $1.1 million from hundreds of people through a fraudulent loan-modification scheme, said Acting U.S. Attorney David A. Sierleja and Stephen D. Anthony, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Cleveland office.

Jason J. Keating, 38, of Toledo was sentenced to nine years in prison while and Christopher J. Howder, 40, of Perrysburg, was sentenced to seven years in prison.

Keating was ordered to pay $1.1 million in restitution while Howder was ordered to pay $561,000 in restitution.

Both pleaded guilty last year to charges of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and multiple counts of mail fraud and wire fraud.

Keating and Howder worked at Making Home Affordable USA (MHAUSA) from 120 10th Street in Toledo, where Keating was self-described president and Howder was the self-described underwriting manager.

According to court documents filed in the case:

The company used various names but homeowners were told MHAUSA had a very high rate of success and that customers could achieve modified interest rates as low as 2 percent.

Prospective participants were told there was a flat fee for service, generally between $495 and $795. Participants were told to stop making monthly mortgage payments to their lenders and instead to pay a percentage of their mortgage to MHAUSA.

Participants were told MHAUSA would hold these payments in a “stimulus reserve” account to demonstrate the participants could reliably make payments, and that once the loans were modified, the money would be turned over to the lenders.

The money obtained through the fraud was spent on concessions at professional sports venues, restaurants, cash withdrawals, gentlemen’s clubs, a tanning salon, a Las Vegas hotel, a jewelry store and a lingerie store.

“These defendants took more than $1 million from people struggling to hold onto their homes,” Sierleja said.

“They used money obtained through fraud to pay for expensive restaurants and vacations,” Anthony said.

The investigating agency in this case is the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Housing and Urban Development – Office of Inspector General. The case was handled by Assistant United States Attorney Gene Crawford.

Two Toledo men were sentenced today to prison for beating an African-American stranger they saw on the street, announced by Acting Assistant Attorney General Tom Wheeler of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, Acting U.S. Attorney David A. Sierleja and Special Agent in Charge Stephen D. Anthony of the FBI’s Cleveland Division.

 

Robert Paschalis, 25, was sentenced to two years in prison while Charles Butler was sentenced to seven years in prison. Both men pleaded guilty in November to violating the Shepard-Byrd Hate Crimes Prevention Act.

 

According to documents filed in connection with the case, on May 18, 2016, Paschalis and Butler drove past the victim, A.W., on the street while A.W. was unloading items from his truck. The two men circled back, got out of their own truck and began attacking A.W. while yelling racial slurs. Butler grabbed a broom from the back of A.W.’s truck and struck A.W. with it multiple times. Paschalis later admitted that the beating occurred because A.W. is African American. Paschalis said that, unlike Butler, he had not “earned” his swastika tattoo yet.

 

The beating stopped only when two off-duty police officers happened on the scene and pulled Butler and Paschalis away. A.W. suffered an orbital fracture and damage to his right eye. Butler later posted on Facebook that the attack was “in the name of the White Race.”

 

“This sentence sends a stern message to those who practice and advocate racial violence,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Wheeler. “Robust prosecution of hate crimes is a priority for the Justice Department, and we will continue to vigorously enforce these laws.”

 

“Attacks like these have no place in our society,” Acting U.S. Attorney Sierleja said. “The victim in this case was minding his own business when he was jumped by two racists. They deserve the prison sentences they received today.”

 

“These individuals engaged in a violent assault against another person based on his race and are now being held accountable,” said Special Agent in Charge Anthony. “The FBI will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to ensure hate crimes are thoroughly investigated and prosecuted to the greatest extent of the law.”

 

This case was investigated by the FBI’s Toledo Resident Agency, in cooperation with the Toledo Police Department and the Lucas County Prosecutor’s Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Freeman of the Northern District of Ohio, Trial Attorney Dana Mulhauser of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Miller.

A federal grand jury returned a one-count indictment charging Oscar Curtis Robinson, 38, of Tallmadge, with possession with the intent to distribute fentanyl, David A. Sierleja, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio.

 

The indictment alleges that on February 2, 2017, Robinson, possessed with intent to distribute a quantity of a mixture and substance containing fentanyl.

 

If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the court after review of factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal records, if any, the defendant’s role in the offense and the characteristics of the violation. In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and in most cases it will be less than the maximum.

 

The investigation preceding the indictment was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Akron FBI Safe Streets Task Force. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Linda H. Barr.

 

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

Two Toledo, Ohio men were sentenced today to prison for beating an African-American stranger they saw on the street, announced by Acting Assistant Attorney General Tom Wheeler of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, Acting U.S. Attorney David A. Sierleja and Special Agent in Charge Stephen D. Anthony of the FBI’s Cleveland Division. 

Robert Paschalis, 25, was sentenced to two years in prison while Charles Butler was sentenced to seven years in prison.  Both men pleaded guilty in November to violating the Shepard-Byrd Hate Crimes Prevention Act.

According to documents filed in connection with the case, on May 18, 2016, Paschalis and Butler drove past the victim, A.W., on the street while A.W. was unloading items from his truck.  The two men circled back, got out of their own truck and began attacking A.W. while yelling racial slurs.  Butler grabbed a broom from the back of A.W.’s truck and struck A.W. with it multiple times.  Paschalis later admitted that the beating occurred because A.W. is African American.  Paschalis said that, unlike Butler, he had not “earned” his swastika tattoo yet. 

The beating stopped only when two off-duty police officers happened on the scene and pulled Butler and Paschalis away.  A.W. suffered an orbital fracture and damage to his right eye.  Butler later posted on Facebook that the attack was “in the name of the White Race.”

“This sentence sends a stern message to those who practice and advocate racial violence,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Wheeler.  “Robust prosecution of hate crimes is a priority for the Justice Department, and we will continue to vigorously enforce these laws.”

“Attacks like these have no place in our society,” Acting U.S. Attorney Sierleja said.  “The victim in this case was minding his own business when he was jumped by two racists.  They deserve the prison sentences they received today.”

“These individuals engaged in a violent assault against another person based on his race and are now being held accountable,” said Special Agent in Charge Anthony.  “The FBI will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to ensure hate crimes are thoroughly investigated and prosecuted to the greatest extent of the law.”

This case was investigated by the FBI’s Toledo Resident Agency, in cooperation with the Toledo Police Department and the Lucas County Prosecutor’s Office.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Freeman of the Northern District of Ohio, Trial Attorney Dana Mulhauser of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Miller.

Two former U.S. Postal Service employees were sentenced to prison for fraudulently obtaining federal worker’s compensation benefits, said Acting U.S. Attorney David A. Sierleja and U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General Special Agent in Charge Monica Weyler.

 

Margaret M. Davis, 56, of Massillon, was sentenced to 18 months in prison and ordered to pay $49,249 in restitution after pleading guilty to making false statements and fraud to obtain federal employee's compensation.

 

Davis falsely stated in 2015 she had not been incarcerated the prior 15 months when completing forms to continue her disability benefits under the Federal Employees’ Compensation Act when she, in fact, had, according to court documents. The USPS OIG investigation showed she completed these forms while incarcerated in an Ohio prison.

 

Nicole M. Gates, 33, of Wickliffe, was sentenced to six months incarceration and ordered to pay $5,884 in restitution and a $2,500 fine. She was convicted by a jury to two counts of wire fraud and one count of making false statements and fraud to obtain federal employee's compensation.

Gates, a mail carrier, falsely represented her physical limitations in connection with her receipt of workers’ compensation benefits, according to court documents and trial testimony.

“The U.S. Postal Service paid over $2.7 billion in workers compensation costs last year, the majority of which went to employees who legitimately deserve it. However, a few employees, such as Nicole Gates and Margaret Davis, choose to defraud the system to receive money they are not entitled to,” Weyler said. “Investigations by USPS OIG special agents such as these are part of our mission of preventing and detecting criminal activity and serious misconduct within the Postal Service. Last year, with the support of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, USPS OIG investigations nationwide saved the Postal Service over $320 million in future federal workers compensation costs. To report workers compensation fraud, or any other serious offenses committed by postal employees, contact our special agents at 888-USPS-OIG or www.uspsoig.gov.”

 

The cases are unrelated. Both were investigated by special agents of the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin Seabury Gould prosecuted the Davis case while Assistant U.S. Attorneys Megan R. Miller and Kendra Klump prosecuted the Gates case.

 

Three Toledo residents were sentenced to prison for forging a will to fraudulently gain control of an estate worth approximately $2.2 million, said Acting U.S. Attorney David A. Sierleja and Carole S. Rendon, Frank S. Turner II, Acting Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation, Cincinnati Field Office and Toledo Police Chief George Kral.

Susan M. Pioch, 60, was sentenced to more than nine years in prison.

Kurt L. Mallory, 53, was sentenced to more than eight years in prison.

Margaret L. McKnight, 42, was sentenced to four years in prison.

All three were convicted last year following a jury trial of one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and mail fraud, 21 counts of bank fraud, seven counts of mail fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft. Pioch, McKnight and Mallory were convicted on additional counts of money laundering. McKnight was convicted on an additional count of structuring cash withdrawals, three tax counts and seven counts of causing a financial institution to fail to file a required report.

“This trio stole used forgery and lies to steal more than $2 million that a man had spent a lifetime working for,” Sierleja said. “They deserve every day of their prison sentences.”

“All financial transactions leave a trail and we have the unique expertise to follow those leads, which ultimately lead to today’s sentencings in such an egregious case of greed,” Turner said. “The excellent partnership of the IRS, U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Toledo Police Department not only resulted in with the successful convictions in this case, but also the forfeiture of the assets associated with this scheme to steal millions from a deceased man’s family.”

“This is yet another example of what a high level collaboration can achieve,” Kral said. “These predatory criminals will not have the opportunity to prey on our citizens any longer.”

Martin E. Fewlas executed a will in 1993 devising his entire estate to his brother. If his brother did not survive Fewlas, the estate was to go to his nephew and then his great-nephew, identified in the indictment as JRM.

Fewlas owned the duplex located at 2557 Broadway Street in Toledo. He lived in the lower half and for approximately 10 years, McKnight and Mallory lived together in the upper half, according to court documents.

Fewlas died on Aug. 28, 2010, leaving an estate worth approximately $2.2 million. On Sept. 2, 2010, McKnight, Mallory and Pioch – an attorney who had previously done legal work for McKnight and Mallory forged a will in Fewlas’ name. The forged will was drafted by Pioch and named McKnight as the executor and sole devisee of Fewlas’ assets. Pioch filed the forged will with the Lucas County Probate Court on or around Sept. 2, 2010. McKnight identified herself as executor of the estate and Pioch identified herself as attorney for the executor in probate court documents, according to court documents.

By filing the forged will and concealing its fraudulent nature, Pioch, McKnight and Mallory succeeded in obtaining Probate Court authority to take possession of Fewlas’ assets. After obtaining those assets, they disbursed the assets to themselves for their own enrichment, according to court documents.

Pioch, McKnight and Mallory used those assets to purchase, among other things, a used car dealership, a 2000 Discovery motorhome for $55,036, a classic 1972 Chevrolet El Camino for $17,000, a 2010 Kia Soul SUV for $21,338, as well as property. They also withdrew more than $500,000 in cash for Fewlas’ estate proceeds, according to court documents.

JRM, Fewlas’ great nephew and the sole remaining devisee from the 1993 will, received nothing, according to the indictment.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Gene Crawford and Noah Hood following an investigation by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigations and the Toledo Police Department.

A Georgia man was arrested on federal charges that he sold heroin in the Youngstown area, said Acting U.S. Attorney David A. Sierleja.

 

Richard E. North, Jr., 47, of Lithonia, Georgia, was charged in a five-count indictment with distribution of heroin and with travelling in interstate commerce to facilitate the distribution of heroin.

 

North sold heroin in the Youngstown area on multiple dates in October and November 2016. He also travelled from Ohio to Tennessee on Nov. 7 with the intent to distribute heroin, according to the indictment.

 

If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the Court after review of factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, the defendant’s role in the offense and the characteristics of the violations. In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and, in most cases, it will be less than the maximum.

 

The investigation preceding the indictment was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Mahoning Valley Law Enforcement Task Force. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David M. Toepfer.

 

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

A Warren man is facing a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison after he was convicted of having more than a kilogram of heroin and firearms, said David A. Sierleja, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio and Warren Police Chief Eric Merkel.

Ricardo B. McKinney, 31, is scheduled to sentenced on July 19.

“This is a criminal who does not belong on the streets of Warren or anywhere else,” Sierleja said. “The amount of deadly drugs he had, and the fact that he’s a felon with firearms, demonstrates that prison is the proper place for this defendant.”

Merkel said: “I would like to thank the Warren Street Crimes Unit for all of the hard work that was put into this case and their dedication to removing from our streets a drug that has killed so many in our city. I would also like to thank the U.S. Attorney's Office for prosecuting this case. This partnership is an essential element in our mission to eliminate drug traffickers from our community.”

A jury convicted McKinney on two counts of distribution of heroin, one count of possession with the intent to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin and one count of being a felon in possession of firearms following a weeklong trial.

McKinney sold heroin on two occasions in early 2015. Warren police arrested McKinney on Feb. 25, 2015, with approximately 1657.2 grams of heroin and two handguns. McKinney was prohibited from having a firearm because of prior felony convictions, according to court documents and trial testimony.

Prosecutors are forfeited nearly $30,000 and the two firearms seized as part of the investigation.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Marisa T. Darden and Daniel J. Riedl. The investigation was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Warren Police Department.

 

Daniel Rogerson-Wise, 33, of North Ridgeville, was charged in federal court with attempting to possess with intent to distribute a fentanyl analogue, law enforcement officials said.

HSI special agents were informed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection that a parcel containing fentanyl was in route to the United States from China. HSI special agents examined the package on March 13 at the North Ridgeville Post Office, according to an affidavit filed in the case.

The package contained a white crystalized substance. It was addressed to a home on Grant Drive in North Ridgeville and had a return address in Hong Kong, according to the affidavit.

The substance was tested and was found to be nearly 10 grams of FluoroIsoButyryl fentanyl, a synthetic opioid, according to the affidavit.

On March 20, HSI agents were again informed that a parcel containing fentanyl was again in route from China to the United States, again addressed to the home on Grant Drive and with a return address in Hong Kong, according to the affidavit.

The parcel was intercepted and the contents tested. It was found to contain more than 10 grams of FluoroIsoButyryl fentanyl, according to the affidavit.

A law enforcement official posing as a postal employee contacted Rogerson-Wise on March 29. Rogerson-Wise confirmed he was expecting the packages. Law enforcement officials then replaced the contents of the parcel and made a controlled delivery to the Grant Drive home, according to the affidavit.

Rogerson-Wise approached the home and later admitted opening the parcel. Rogerson-Wise told investigators that he was ordering an opioid that he thought was legal, referring to it as a research chemical called fib F. He admitted to having approximately 30 grams of fib F shipped from China, according to the affidavit.

Investigators then searched an apartment on Ignatius Avenue in Cleveland where Rogerson-Wise that was a possible residence for him. Investigators searched a bedroom where Rogerson-Wise slept and found his birth certificate, a loaded Smith & Wesson revolver and two notebooks, according to the affidavit.

If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the court after review of factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, the defendant’s role in the offense and the characteristics of the violations. In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and, in most cases, it will be less than the maximum.

 

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew J. Cronin following an investigation by the Department of Immigration and Customs Enforcement – Homeland Security Investigations, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the North Ridgeville Police Department.

 

A charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

A Massillon woman was charged with defrauding financial institutions out of more than $2 million by having escrow funds on home purchases deposited into her personal account, Acting U.S. Attorney David A. Sierleja said.

Kimberlee E. Himmell, 62, was charged with 18 counts of bank fraud and one count of theft of government funds.

Himmell owned and operated Netwide Title Agency, Inc., located at 3711 Lincoln Way East in Massillon. General Title Insurance Company, located in Cleveland, was Netwide’s underwriter and responsible for auditing Netwide, according to the information.

Netwide, at the direction of Himmell, began in 2007 instructing all lenders doing business with Netwide as a title agency and utilizing its escrow services to wire all incoming lending proceeds to Himmell’s personal account, instead of Netwide’s corporate account, according to the criminal information filed in the case.

Himmell then used the deposited funds for her own personal use and for Netwide’s operational expenses withouth disclosing to lenders that she was not holding the funds in escrow, as she represented she would, according to the information.

Himmell closed at least 19 real estate transactions in 2013 and 2014 wherein Netwide received escrow funds and failed to pay or release the funds to the prior owner’s pre-existing mortgage. This causes financial losses to lenders and/or sellers of homes in Richmond Heights, North Canton, Willowick, Concord, Strongsville, Newbury, Brunswick, Wadsworth, Medina, Painesville, Parma, Akron, Twinsburg, Brecksville and Millersburg, according to the information.

Netwide’s underwriter, General Title, was contractually obligated to make lenders whole. The loss to General Title as a result of Himmell’s conduct was at least $2,111,014, according to the information.

If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the court after review of factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, the defendant’s role in the offense and the characteristics of the violations. In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and, in most cases, it will be less than the maximum.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark S. Bennett following an investigation by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development – Office of Inspector General, the Federal Housing Finance Agency – Office of Inspector General and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

An information is a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

 

Two men were indicted on firearms charges, said David A. Sierleja, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio.

 

Anthony V. Mascarella, 29, of Youngstown, was indicted on one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.

 

Terry Lee Leitch, 33, of Rootstown, was indicted on one count of possession of an unregistered firearm.

 

The indictment alleges that Mascarella possessed a Smith & Wesson, model SD40VE, .40 caliber pistol, and ammunition on Nov. 15, 2016, after having been convicted of domestic violence in the Mahoning County Court of Common Pleas in 2007.

 

Leitch on Sept. 12, 2016, possessed a New England Firearms, model Pardner SB-1, 20 gauge shotgun, modified with a barrel length of approximately 13 inches and an overall length of approximately 19.25 inches, which firearm had not been registered to him in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record, according to the indictment.

 

If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the court after review of factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, the defendant’s role in the offense and the characteristics of the violations. In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and, in most cases, it will be less than the maximum.

 

These cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David M. Toepfer. The cases were investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Youngstown Police Department (Mascarella) and the Portage County Sheriff’s Office (Leitch).

 

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

A Lewis Center man was charged with stealing more than $183,000 in federal grants designed to help Native Americans, said Acting U.S. Attorney David A. Sierleja and Lamont Pugh III, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Office of Inspector General.

 

A three-count criminal information charges Craig McGuire, 47, with one count of conspiracy to commit theft concerning programs receiving federal funds and two counts of theft of government funds.

 

“This defendant blatantly lied on grant applications to get money designated to help one of our most vulnerable populations,” Sierleja said. “He used the money to enrich himself nearly as fast as he got it.”

 

“The intentional falsification of information in a federal grant application in order to receive funds is a serious crime,” Pugh said. “Federal grant funds are limited and must be used for the purpose for which they are intended. The OIG will continue to identify, investigate and seek the prosecution of those individuals who improperly enrich themselves with vital taxpayer dollars.”

 

McGuire operated McGuire & Associates LLC, a company that wrote grant applications and provided evaluation services. A person identified only as R.R. served as executive director of the American Indian Education Center, a Parma-based nonprofit established in 1995 to support Native American causes in Northeast Ohio, according to the information.

 

McGuire & Associates entered into an agreement with R.R. in April 2011 to draft grant proposals on behalf of the AIEC. Later that year, McGuire submitted an application on behalf of the AIEC to receive a Circle of Care grant, offered through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. The grant was designed to provide Native American communities with the tools and resources to design programs to support mental health and wellness for children and families, according to the information.

 

The AIEC’s application contained numerous false statements including: misrepresenting the date the AIEC was established; falsely claiming the AIEC had a wellness department and a “Positive Paths” afterschool program when no such department or program existed; fraudulently listing people the AIEC allegedly employed and mischaracterizing the description of the AIEC’s building and alleged physical amenities, according to the information.

 

SAMHSA awarded the AIEC a Circle of Care grant on Sept. 1, 2012 of approximately $302,340 for FY 2012. On June 26, 2012, SAMHSA awarded the second year of a Circle of Care grant in the amount of $308,040 for FY 2013, according to information.

 

The AIEC received approximately $482,766 from SAMHSA from 2011 through 2013. The AIEC did not receive full funding because SAMHSA placed it in “high risk” status, according to the indictment.

 

McGuire and R.R. embezzled at least $183,703 of those funds, according to the information.

 

The investigation is ongoing.

 

If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the court after review of factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, the defendant’s role in the offense and the characteristics of the violations. In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and, in most cases, it will be less than the maximum.

 

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Robert J. Patton and Suzana Koch following an investigation by the Department of Health and Human Services – Office of Inspector General.

 

An information is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

 

A federal grand jury returned a four-count indictment charging Jess A. Leon, 66, of Leetonia, with theft of government property and false statements and fraud to obtain federal employees’ compensation, said David A. Sierleja, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio.

 

The indictment alleges that Leon, a mail carrier employed by the U.S. Postal Service, failed to disclose income from other employment, resulting in the receipt of federal workers’ compensation benefits to which he was not entitled. It further alleges that Leon falsely represented his physical limitations in connection with his receipt of workers’ compensation benefits.

 

Assistant United States Attorney Megan R. Miller is prosecuting the case following an investigation by the U.S. Postal Service Office of the Inspector General.

 

If convicted, the court will determine the defendant’s sentence after a review of factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, the defendant’s role in the offense, and the characteristics of the violation. In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum. In most cases, it will be less than the maximum.

 

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

Five men from Northeast Ohio were indicted on federal firearms charges, said Acting U.S. Attorney David A. Sierleja and Trevor Velinor, ATF Special Agent in Charge for the Columbus Field Division.

Indicted in the unrelated cases are: Nicholas Martin, 37, of Cleveland; Terrence Trawick, 30, of Garfield Heights; Delvon Houser, 31, of Euclid; Vernell Jordan, 27, of Cleveland, and Marlon Clemons, 39, of Warrensville Heights.

“These are individuals with criminal records who have to business or right to carry firearms,” Sierleja said. “We will continue to work with federal agencies and local police to curb violence and prosecute gun offenses.”

“ATF is committed to combating gun violence in our communities,” Velinor said. “These indictments demonstrate our on-going commitment to work with our law enforcement partners to make our communities safer.”

Martin had a SCCY 9 mm pistol on March 2, despite prior felony convictions in Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court for drug trafficking and improper discharge of a firearm into a habitation.

Trawick had a Taurus .380 caliber pistol with an obliterated serial number on Feb. 11, despite prior felony convictions in Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court for drug trafficking and robbery and a federal conviction for being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Houser had a Taurus .38 caliber revolver on Jan. 19 despite prior felony convictions in Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court for robbery and felonious assault.

Jordan had a Smith & Wesson .40 caliber pistol on March 1 despite a conviction in Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court for attempted felonious assault with a firearms specification.

Clemons had a Taurus .45 caliber pistol and ammunition on Jan. 23, despite prior convictions in Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court for improper discharge of a firearm, robbery and felonious assault.

If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the court after review of factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, the defendant’s role in the offense and the characteristics of the violation. In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and, in most cases, it will be less than the maximum.

 

These cases are being prosecuted following investigations by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the U.S. Marshal Service, the Cleveland Division of Police and the Euclid Police Department.

 

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

 

A Cleveland man was indicted for robbing two banks in Mansfield, said Acting U.S. Attorney David A. Sierleja, FBI Special Agent in Charge Stephen D. Anthony and Mansfield Police Chief Kenneth Coontz.

 

Marty Taylor, 40, was indicted on two counts of bank robbery.

 

Taylor robbed the Richland Bank located at 50 Marion Avenue in Mansfield on Dec. 12, 2016. He also robbed the First Merit Bank located at 100 Park Avenue West in Mansfield on Jan. 17, 2017, according to the indictment.

 

If convicted, a defendant’s sentence will be determined by the Court after review of factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal records, if any, the defendant’s role in the offense and the characteristics of the violation. In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and in most cases it will be less than the maximum.

 

The investigation preceding the indictment was conducted by the Mansfield Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Mansfield Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Brad J. Beeson.

 

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

A Cleveland man pleaded guilty to making illegal straw purchases of 24 firearms over two days at a gun show, said David A. Sierleja, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio and Trevor Velinor, ATF Special Agent in Charge for the Columbus Field Division.

 

Carlton H. Nunn, 36, is scheduled to be sentenced July 11.

 

Nunn purchased two dozen firearms from four dealers at an area gun show on Sept. 10 and 11, 2016. He knowingly and unlawfully made false and fictitious statements, intended to deceive dealers, that he was the actual buyer of said firearms when, in fact, he was not the actual buyer of said firearms, according to court documents and statements.

 

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Megan R. Miller following an investigation by the ATF.

An Akron man was indicted on federal drug and firearms charges, said Acting U.S. Attorney David A. Sierleja.

 

Curtis Earl Tucker, Jr., aka Reginald T. Shannon, 36, was indicted on one count of possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and one count of being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition.

 

On March 9, 2017, Tucker possessed with the intent to distribute more than 500 grams of methamphetamine and a Smith & Wesson SDVE, 9mm pistol, a Colt Trooper MK3, .357 magnum revolver, a Ruger, model P95, 9 mm pistol, and a Armi Tan Foglio .25 caliber pistol, and ammunition, despite a prior federal conviction for distribution of crack cocaine, according to the indictment.

 

If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the Court after review of factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, the defendant’s role in the offense and the characteristics of the violations. In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and, in most cases, it will be less than the maximum.

 

The investigation preceding the indictment was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Akron Police Department, Narcotics Unit. matter is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David M. Toepfer.

 

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

 

Marita Holland, 32, of Toledo, was charged via criminal information with theft of government funds, said David A. Sierleja, Acting U.S. Attorney.

 

Holland, in 2012, illegally received two checks from the U.S. Treasury totaling approximately $16,793, according to the information.

 

If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the Court after reviewing factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, the defendant’s role in the offense and the characteristics of the violation. In all cases the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and in most cases it will be less than the maximum.

 

The case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service and is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Gene Crawford.

 

An information is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. Defendants are entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

Six people were indicted for their roles in a conspiracy to bring methamphetamine, heroin and cocaine to Ohio from California and then sell the drugs here and in West Virginia, Acting U.S. Attorney David A. Sierleja.

Named in the 19-count indictment are: Roya Tabatabai, 32, of Grafton; Omid Tabatabai, 36, of Los Angeles; Joshua Thacker, 36, of Elyria; Joseph Bratkovich, 41, of Wellington; Gabrielle Fry, 22, of California, and Nancy Rhode, 39, fo Maysel, W. Va.

Omid Tabatabai obtained multi-kilogram shipments of methamphetamine and cocaine from suppliers in Los Angeles. He and others would then mail weekly shipments of the drugs to his sister, Roya Tabatabai and others, according to the indictment.

Roya Tabatabai, in turn, distributed the methamphetamine to Thacker, Bratkovich, Rhodes and others in Ohio and West Virginia. She used her house at 36097 Capel Road in Grafton to store and distribute the methamphetamine and cocaine, according to the indictment.

Omid Tabatabai, Thacker and Bratkovich used firearms to protect their drug trafficking activities. The conspiracy took place between 2015 and this year, according to the indictment.

If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the court after review of factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, the defendant’s role in the offense and the characteristics of the violation. In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and, in most cases, it will be less than the maximum.

 

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Vasile Katsaros and Phillip Tripi following an investigation by the DEA and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.

 

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

A Bay Village man was sentenced to more than six years in prison for fraudulently buying concert and event tickets worth hundreds of thousands of dollars with stolen credit cards and then reselling them, law enforcement officials said.

Daniel Mercede, 29, pleaded guilty last year to charges of bank fraud, access devise fraud and operating an unlicensed money transmitting business. U.S. District Judge Sara Lioi sentenced Mercede to 79 months in prison and ordered him to pay $424,222 in restitution.

Mercede used stolen and fraudulently obtained credit card information from dozens of people to purchase tickets to concerts and events from ScoreBig, a California-based company that sells tickets, according to court documents.

He had the tickets sent to his or his parents’ homes in Chagrin Falls, where Mercede lived when he committed the crimes. He then resold the tickets – for events in Baltimore, Buffalo, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Seattle, St. Louis and Washington D.C. -- on StubHub, receiving the funds by check or through PayPal, according to court documents.

Mercede attempted to obtain more than $3 million in combined fraudulent proceeds between 2014 and last year, and obtained more than $424,222, according to court documents.

He used money for his own personal enrichment, including purchases of luxury cars, expensive jewelry and exotic vacations, according to court documents.

“Mr. Mercede was motivated solely by greed,” Acting U.S. Attorney David A. Sierleja said. “He has shown himself to be a serial scammer and identity thief who is a clear economic danger to the community. Prison is the proper place for him.”

“Mercede left a wake of financial damage with the numerous unlawful schemes he engaged in,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Stephen D. Anthony. “The FBI will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to ensure fraudsters serve their due time behind bars instead of on lavish vacations at the expense of others.”

"Daniel Mercede perpetrated a complex scheme involving identity theft and the illegal use of an unlicensed bitcoin exchange service that was driven by insatiable greed and a blatant disregard for the tremendous damage inflicted on innocent victims," said Frank S. Turner II, Acting Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation, Cincinnati Field Office. "Be assured that IRS Criminal Investigation, together with our law enforcement partners and the U.S. Attorney's Office, will hold those who engage in similar behavior fully accountable."

“I would like to acknowledge the hard and diligent work of Detective Sergeant Andy Capwill,” said Chagrin Falls Police Chief Amber Dacek. “He really dug in to this case and gathered a good deal of the initial financial information that ultimately led to this prosecution. I am very pleased with the collaborative effort that went in to obtaining this conviction.”

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Paul Flannery and Matthew Kall following an investigation by the FBI, IRS, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Chagrin Falls Police and Westlake Police.

A Berea man was sentenced to 12 ½ years in prison for selling heroin that resulted in a fatal overdose last year, said Acting U.S. Attorney David A. Sierleja.

U.S. District Judge Christopher A. Boyko sentenced Brandon Wagner to 150 months in prison.

Wagner, 43, was previously found guilty of distribution of heroin. Wagner sold heroin in March 2016 that resulted in the fatal overdose of a Lakewood man, according to court documents.

“Aggressive enforcement of the law will remain part of the solution to combating our state’s opioid epidemic,” Sierleja said. “The detectives who worked this case are to commended for their thorough investigation.”

“The crisis we have in our communities due to heroin and fentanyl is not a problem for just the addicted,” said Lakewood Police Chief Tim Malley. “The families and friends are just as intimately involved with the damage and sorrow this causes. The Lakewood Police Department will continue to investigate all of our overdose cases to hold those accountable that have participated in any way in ending someone’s life. Those selling the heroin know that fatal consequences are all too likely with what they are selling, all for a few dollars. The Lakewood Police Department will continue to work with the U.S. Department of Justice, the Cuyahoga County Prosecutors Office, and the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner to hold those accountable and take them off our streets for lengthy prison sentences.”

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Marisa Darden following an investigation by the Lakewood Police Department and the Northern Ohio Law Enforcement Task Force. The NOLETF is a task force comprised of investigators from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Cleveland Division of Police, Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority, Drug Enforcement Administration, Internal Revenue Service, Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Office, Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation and the police departments of Cleveland Heights, Euclid, Lakewood, the Regional Transit Authority, Westlake and Shaker Heights. The NOLETF is also one of the initial Ohio High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area initiatives, which supports and helps coordinate numerous Ohio drug task forces in their efforts to eliminate or reduce drug trafficking in Ohio.

An Akron man and two from California were indicted for a methamphetamine conspiracy, said David A. Sierleja, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio.

 

Jonathan Dowdell, 32, of Akron, Dwan Dowdell, 31, and Justin Jones, 26, both of San Bernardino, California were charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute approximately 900 grams of methamphetamine.

 

They were arrested by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service on Feb. 15 for shipping approximately 900 grams of methamphetamine from California to Akron, according to court documents.

 

If convicted, the defendants’ sentences will be determined by the court after review of factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, the defendant’s role in the offense and the characteristics of the violations. In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and, in most cases, it will be less than the maximum.

 

This case was investigated the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Homeland Security Investigation/ICE, Cleveland Police Department, Akron Police Department and Summit County Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. States Attorney Teresa Riley.

 

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

Seven people from Cleveland were indicted in federal court for a conspiracy in which they stole nearly $750,000 worth of cell phones and other electronics from shopping malls and kiosks in several states, law enforcement officials said.

 

Melvin Swinney, 21, Tyron Hicks, 30, Adolph Boyd III, 24, Jerome Goins, 21, Delante Hudson-Frost, 22, Dennis McKenzie, 20, and Padra Graves, 38, were indicted on charges of conspiring to transport stolen goods in interstate commerce. The indictment also charges 13 counts of transporting stolen goods in interstate commerce.

 

The seven co-defendants and others targeted shopping malls, kiosks, and retailers of cellular telephones and electronic devices. They broke into these stores or locked storage areas in Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, South Carolina and Ohio, including Summit Mall in Fairlawn and SouthPark Mall in Strongsville, according to the indictment,

 

The defendants stole the electronic devices, and returned to the Cleveland area to sell the stolen merchandise to individuals, gas stations and independent phone stores, according to the indictment.

 

The conspirators stole approximately $738,500 worth of cell phones and other electronic devices between April 24 and July 24, 2016, according to the indictment.

 

An eighth man, Darnell Foster, 20, also of Cleveland, was charged in a related case with one count of transporting stolen goods in interstate commerce.

 

“This group roamed the eastern half of the United States stealing phones and merchandise worth hundreds of thousands of dollars,” said Acting U.S. Attorney David A. Sierleja. “Our partners at the FBI and Cleveland Police are to be commended for breaking up this sophisticated crime ring.”

 

“This gang-affiliated group traveled to numerous states to break into retail stores to steal hundreds of thousands of dollars in electronic devices,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Stephen D. Anthony said. “Due to law enforcement's collaborative efforts, we are able to hold these criminals accountable for their unlawful acts.”

 

“The criminals named in this indictment have victimized multiple local businesses, causing significant damage and loss,” said Cleveland Police Chief Calvin Williams. “In addition, their crimes spread to multiple states and even overseas, showing what a damaging effect organized crime has on society. I am proud of the work done by the officers and agents in this case and grateful for the strong partnership the Cleveland Division of Police has with the Cleveland Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.”

 

Assistant United States Attorneys Megan R. Miller and Elliot D. Morrison are prosecuting the case following an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Cleveland Division of Police.

 

If convicted, the court will determine the defendants’ sentences after a review of factors unique to this case, including the defendants’ prior criminal records, if any, the defendants’ roles in the offense, and the characteristics of the violation. In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum. In most cases, it will be less than the maximum.

 

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

 

A Sandusky man was indicted on charges of possession with intent to distribute cocaine and marijuana, said David A. Sierleja, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio.

 

Deonte Graves, 34, had more than two kilograms of cocaine and more than a kilogram of marijuana, according to the indictment.

 

If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the court after reviewing factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, the defendant’s role in the offense and the characteristics of the violation. In all cases the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and in most cases it will be less than the maximum.

 

The investigating agency in this case is the Drug Enforcement Administration in Toledo. It is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael J. Freeman and Thomas P. Weldon.

 

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. Defendants are entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

An Orrville man was indicted on fentanyl trafficking charges, said David A. Sierleja, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio.

 

Kenneth L. Johnson was indicted on one count of possession with the intent to distribute and distribution of fentanyl.

 

Johnson, originally from Chicago, sold two packages containing fentanyl to a person in Orrville, Ohio on Dec. 3, 2016, according to the indictment.

 

The matter is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron P. Howell following an investigation by the Orville Police Department, Medway Drug Enforcement Agents and the Drug Enforcement Administration.

 

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove each defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

 

If convicted, a defendant’s sentence will be determined by the Court after review of factors unique to this case, including the defendants’ prior criminal record, if any, the defendants’ roles in the offense and the characteristics of the violations.

An East Cleveland man was indicted for robbing two banks on West 25th Street this year, said Acting U.S. Attorney David A. Sierleja and FBI Special Agent in Charge Stephen D. Anthony.

Mark A. Lloyd, 31, robbed the Ohio Savings Bank on Jan. 30 of $918. Two weeks later he robbed the PNC bank of $4,238, according to the indictment.

Lloyd was arrested on Feb. 17 at Cleveland City Hall after a police officer working security there recognized Lloyd, particularly a tattoo of a gun underneath Lloyd’s right eye, according to court documents.

If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the court after reviewing factors unique to this case, including the defendants’ prior criminal record, the defendant's role in the offense and the characteristics of the violation. In all cases the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and in most cases it will be less than the maximum.

This case was investigating by the FBI and the Cleveland Division of Police. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Elliot D. Morrison and Megan Miller.

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. Defendants are entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

A Canton man was indicted on crack cocaine trafficking charges, said David A. Sierleja, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio.

 

Jamel A. Smith, 45, was indicted on five counts of possession with the intent to distribute and distribution of crack cocaine.

 

Smith sold crack cocaine on five separate occasions in the Canton area. In total, Smith sold approximately seventy grams of crack cocaine, according to the indictment.

 

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Aaron P. Howell following an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Canton Police Department.

 

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the United States of America’s burden to prove each defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

 

If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the Court after review of factors unique to this case, including the defendants’ prior criminal record, if any, the defendants’ roles in the offense and the characteristics of the violations.

 

A federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Catherine I. Wilson, 62, of Bedford, with bank fraud after she embezzled nearly $300,000 from her employer, said David A. Sierleja, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio.

 

Wilson was employed at Koppel Advertising in Bedford from 1991 through 2014. From 2011 through September 30, 2014, Wilson embezzled funds from Koppel’s business bank accounts by using company funds to pay her personal bills and expenses, according to the indictment.

 

In order to conceal her fraudulent conduct, Wilson altered Koppel’s bank statements to remove records relating to her unauthorized transactions. The total loss associated with this conduct is approximately $288,235, according to the indictment.

 

If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the court after review of factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, the defendant’s role in the offense and the characteristics of the violation. In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and, in most cases, it will be less than the maximum.

 

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew B. Kall following an investigation by the United States Secret Service.

 

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

An Akron man was indicted on firearms and counterfeiting charges, said Acting U.S. Attorney David A. Sierleja.

 

Abraham Lewis Addison, 27, was indicted on five counts of uttering and dealing in counterfeit obligations or securities and one count of possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number.

 

Addison on Sept. 9, 2016 had had approximately $2,450 in counterfeit currency in the form of fake $50 and $20 bills. HE also had a Ruger 9mm semiautomatic pistol with an obliterated serial number, according to the indictment.

 

This case was investigated by the Summit County Sheriff’s Office, Akron Police Department, Ohio Highway Patrol, Bath Police Department and the United States Secret Service. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Teresa Riley.

 

If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the court after review of factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, the defendant’s role in the offense and the characteristics of the violations. In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and, in most cases, it will be less than the maximum.

 

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

A Millersburg man was sentenced to more than two years in prison for fraudulently claiming more than $1.1 million in tax refunds to which he was not entitled, said Acting U.S. Attorney David A. Sierleja and Frank S. Turner II, Acting Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation, Cincinnati Field Office.

Dennis Dean Miller, 62, was found guilty of six counts of false claims and one count of obstructing internal revenue laws.

Miller falsely reported that financial institutions had withheld large amounts of federal income tax on income that did not exist in reality. He falsely filed for tax refunds of $1,121,420 for tax years 2006 through 2011, according to the indictment.

Miller was sentenced to 26 months in prison by U.S. District Judge James Gwin. The judge also ordered Miller to pay $132,147 in restitution.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Henry F. DeBaggis following an investigation by the IRS.

An Elyria man was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for drug and firearms crimes, law enforcement officials said.

 

Octavious Smith, 38, was previously found guilty of distribution of heroin and cocaine and being a felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Smith sold heroin and cocaine on June 10, 2015. Two months later, he possessed a Desert Eagle 9 mm pistol and ammunition, despite prior felony convictions that made it illegal for him to have a firearm, according to court documents.

 

“This defendant has a history of selling drugs and illegally carrying a firearm,” Acting U.S. Attorney David A. Sierleja said. “He earned every day of this prison sentence.”

 

“This case is another outstanding example of what can be accomplished when local, state and federal agencies work together to protect our community,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Stephen D. Anthony.

 

“This is another example of local and federal law enforcement working together to put a violent career criminal behind bars,” said Elyria Police Chief Duane Whitely. “Not only is the city of Elyria safer because of this, so is the entire Cleveland area. I want to thank the U.S Attorney’s Office for their continued assistance to the Elyria Police Department and the citizens of Elyria.”

 

This case is the latest in a series that represent a coordinated effort on behalf of the federal and state partners to hold accountable individuals who all have significant prior firearm and or drug charges and have continued to possess firearms and/or peddle drugs in Lorain County.

 

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Robert Corts, Vasile Katsaros and Marisa T. Darden following an investigation by the FBI and Elyria Police Department.

 

Over the past year, the Cleveland Police Monitoring Team has sought community input on key policies of the Cleveland Division of Police (CDP) – including use-of-force, body-worn cameras, and its mission statement, among others. The Team thanks everyone who participated for engaging with and contributing to the discussion surrounding police reform under the federal consent decree in Cleveland.

 

Now the reform process is seeking community feedback on the CDP’s Community and Problem-Oriented Policing Plan.

 

Substantive community input is the first step in the development of a successful Community and Problem-Oriented policing Plan. CDP’s policies must directly respond to what the community expects. This stage of community engagement is an active effort to learn as much as possible about what Cleveland residents want the community policing plan to include.

 

The Cleveland Division of Police, City of Cleveland—including the District Policing Committees and the Community Relations Board, —the Cleveland Community Police Commission, the Department of Justice, and the Monitoring Team are all working together—in a joint collaborative effort—to solicit and receive input on these policies from the Cleveland community.

 

Cleveland residents are invited to learn more about community policing and share your views by going to the Monitoring Team’s website. (The materials also are available on the City’s website, the CDP’s website or the CPC’s website).

 

Residents can share your views and provide input in two ways:

 

• By taking a brief online questionnaire, which is available here as well as on each of the websites listed above;

 

• By attending a community roundtable. There will be two community roundtables. The roundtables will include an overview of the components of a Community and Problem-Oriented Policing Plan, with an opportunity for small group discussions. The first community roundtable is on Tuesday, March 21, from 5:30- 8:30pm at the Jerry Sue Thornton Center (2500 East 22nd St., Cleveland, OH 44115). The second community roundtable is on Wednesday, March 22, from 5:30-8:30pm at Urban Community School (4909 Lorain Ave, Cleveland, OH 44102).

 

Those interested in attending a roundtable can send an RSVP to the Monitoring Team at info@clevelandpolicemonitor.com or use the RSVP links above.

 

The Monitoring Team hopes that all who live and work in Cleveland strongly consider being part of this important conversation about how we can work together to create a Community and Problem-Oriented Policing Plan that reflects the goals and values of the entire Cleveland community.

A Toledo woman was indicted after embezzling more than $42,000, said Acting U.S. Attorney David A. Sierleja.

Martina Monaco, 28, worked at Fifth Third Bank. She embezzled $42,393 from a bank customer’s account, which she used to pay her landlord, buy investment certificates of deposit that she quickly cashed out, and engaged in other fraudulent bank activity, according to the indictment.

If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the court after reviewing factors unique to this case, including the defendants’ prior criminal record, the defendant's role in the offense and the characteristics of the violation. In all cases the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and in most cases it will be less than the maximum.

This case was investigating by U.S. Secret Service. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tracey Tangeman.

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. Defendants are entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

A Toledo man with a history of armed robberies was indicted in federal court for using a firearm to rob a store last month, Acting U.S. Attorney David A. Sierleja, FBI Special Agent in Charge Stephen D. Anthony and Toledo Police Chief George Kral said.

Eugene Coley, 49, was indicted on three counts: robbery in violation of the Hobbs Act, brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence and being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Coley robbed the Stop and Shop at 1719 Lagrange Street in Toledo on Feb. 1. He brandished a Sturm, Ruger 9 mm pistol during the robbery. Coley was forbidden from having a firearm because in 2002 he was convicted of two counts of aggravated robbery with a firearms specification, according to the indictment.

If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the court after reviewing factors unique to this case, including the defendants’ prior criminal record, the defendants’ role in the offense and the characteristics of the violation. In all cases the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and in most cases it will be less than the maximum.

This case was investigating by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Toledo Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tracey Tangeman.

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. Defendants are entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

A Youngstown man was sentenced to 30 years in prison for firearms and narcotics violations, including selling heroin that resulted in a fatal overdose, said Carole S. Rendon, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio.

Lebron Charles Bunkley, 38, was found guilty of last year of charges including distribution of heroin, cocaine and crack cocaine as well as being a felon in possession of a firearm.

On May 14, 2016 in Youngstown, a person fatally overdosed on heroin sold by Bunkley, according to court documents.

“This defendant has a long history with firearms and drugs, and sending him to prison for decades will make the community a safer place,” Rendon said.

“Drug abuse and gun violence are a type of cancer,” said Trevor Velinor, Special Agent in Charge of ATF’s Columbus Field Division. “ATF is proud to work with our law enforcement partners at the FBI and the Mahoning Valley Law Enforcement Task Force to ensure that individuals who threaten the health of our community are held accountable and prevented from causing further harm.”

 

The investigation preceding the indictment was conducted by the Mahoning Valley Law Enforcement Task Force, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David M. Toepfer.

Twenty-two people indicted for their roles in a conspiracy to traffic large amounts of heroin and cocaine in Toledo, law enforcement officials said.

 

Named in the 72-count indictment are: Gary R. Hill, Sr., 62, of Lathrup Village, Michigan; Tyrone Watson, 45, of Sylvania; Keith Cooke, 51, of Southfield, Michigan; Leroy L. Hooker, 47; Larry E. Stewart, 50; Andre Anderson, 47; Andre Arthur, 38; Anthony Ballard, 24; Ivan Ballard, 26; James Bragg, Sr., 43; Dominique Brown, 25; Keith Chisholm, 38; Vincent Cooke, 69;, Dennis Garrett, 26; Victor Hardison, 57; Dorian Hooker, 42; Robert Jackson, 41; Cedrick Smith, 25; Damond Smith, 26; Marcus Stephens, 37; Jerome Toyer, 46, and Demond Washington, 36, all of Toledo.

 

All 22 defendants are charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute heroin and cocaine. The indictment details large shipments of heroin, including a December 2, 2016 sale of nearly seven kilograms of cocaine and nearly four kilograms of heroin, according to the indictment.

 

The defendants worked together to bring kilogram-level amounts of heroin and cocaine from the Detroit area and sell the drugs in and around Toledo. This took place between from 2012 through this year, according to the indictment.

 

Hill, Leroy Hooker and Keith Cooke recruited friends and relatives in Toledo to distribute heroin and cocaine. Hill and others in Detroit and Toledo supplied Hooker and Keith Cooke with drugs. Stewart and Brown drove between Detroit and Toledo transporting drugs and money on behalf of Hill, Leroy Hooker and Keith Cooke, according to the indictment.

 

Some of the defendants used residences in Toledo to store and distribute the heroin and cocaine, including locations on Rockingham Street, Barrows Street, Ogden Avenue, West Delaware Avenue, Bryant Court and Nantucket Drive, as well as locations in Southfield, Lathrup and Detroit, Michigan, according to the indictment.

 

Several of the defendants are charged with distribution of heroin for sales that took place between 2012 and 2016. Leroy Hooker, Demond Washington and Chisholm face additional charges for having guns despite felony convictions that prohibit them from possessing firearms, according to the indictment.

 

“We will continue to seek long prison sentences for drug traffickers,” said Carole S. Rendon, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio. “Aggressive enforcement, coupled with increased access to treatment for those who want help, changes in prescribing practices and more education are all required to combat the opioid epidemic that his devastated our state.”

 

“Unfortunately, heroin and cocaine continue to plague our communities,” FBI Special Agent in Charge Stephen D. Anthony said. “Law enforcement will hold these individuals, and any others, that bring illegal narcotics to our streets accountable in a court of law.”

 

“We are very happy with the results of this investigation,” said Toledo Police Chief George Kral. “Detecting, investigating, and charging these drug trafficking groups, and working diligently in keeping Toledo’s streets free of this poison is and will always be a priority of mine. These results also show the high level of cooperation and interaction we enjoy with our federal, local, and state law enforcement partners.”

 

If convicted, the defendants’ sentences will be determined by the court after reviewing factors unique to this case, including the defendants’ prior criminal record, if any, the defendants’ role in the offense and the characteristics of the violation. In all cases the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and in most cases it will be less than the maximum.

 

This case was investigating by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Toledo Metro Drug Task Force, which is comprised of personnel from the Toledo Police Department, FBI, ATF, and Lucas County Sheriff's Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Thomas P. Weldon and Alissa M. Sterling.

 

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. Defendants are entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

David H. Six, 57, of Elyria, was sentenced to seven years in prison for possessing child pornography, said Carole S. Rendon, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio.

Images of child pornography were found on a PNY thumb drive in Six’s possession on August 27, 2015, according to court documents.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Carol M. Skutnik. The case was investigated by the Ohio Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, Cleveland Office.

Two Mexican citizens were indicted for illegally reentering the United States, U.S. Attorney Carole S. Rendon said.

 

Belino Selgado-Cantu, 36, was deported to Mexico in 2013 and found in Cleveland, according to the indictment.

 

Baltazar Bautista-Hernandez, 37, was deported to Mexico in 2010, was found in Willard, Ohio, according to the indictment.

 

The cases are unrelated. Both are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Karrie D. Howard following investigations by U.S. Border Patrol, Department of Homeland Security.

 

If convicted, the defendant's sentence will be determined by the court after review of factors unique to this case, including the defendant's prior criminal record, if any, the defendant's role in the offense, and the characteristics of the violation. In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and in most cases it will be less than the maximum.

 

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial, in which it will be the government's burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

Several people have been found guilty and sentenced to prison for violating federal tax laws over the past few months, said Carole S. Rendon, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio, and Troy Stemen, Acting Special Agent in Charge of IRS-Criminal Investigation’s Cincinnati Field Office.

As the 2017 tax filing deadline approaches, these cases serve as reminders that there are civil and sometimes criminal penalties to filing erroneous tax returns.

“Tax day is not fun, but the vast majority of Americans who properly report and pay their fair share need to know that we will aggressively prosecute those who shirk or flaunt their obligations,” Rendon said.

“We are in the midst of this year’s income tax filing season, so it is important for people to have confidence that when they pay their taxes, their neighbors and co-workers are doing the same,” Stemen said. “The IRS Criminal Investigation, together with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, will investigate and prosecute those who violate our tax system. This joint announcement should serve as a warning to anyone who might consider evading their federal tax obligations, as we will hold accountable those who use deceit and fraud to line their pockets with money, especially when that money represents stolen federal taxes.”

Details on a few cases over the past year:

U.S. v. Farmer: Darryl Farmer, of Cleveland Heights, was sentenced to nearly six years in prison and ordered to pay $100,230 in restitution last month. Farmer held himself out as a neighborhood tax preparer who paid recruiters a “referral fee” to provide him identifications and personal identifiers of others. Farmer used this information to file false tax returns, including claiming tax credits for businesses that did not exist. He also opened multiple personal and business bank accounts, which he controlled, in the names of these various people in order to deposit the refunds from the tax returns he filed. Farmer falsely claimed more than $100,000 from the IRS between 2010 and 2012, according to court documents.

U.S. v. Lin et. al.: The owners of the Royal Buffet and Grill restaurant in Akron are awaiting sentencing after admitting they did not report the majority of cash receipts at the restaurant. Yuan Lin, of Fairlawn, and Rui Xu, Xin Hsu and Zhou Qiang Zou, all of Akron, conspired between 2002 and 2013 to defraud government by not reporting the majority of cash receipts on their taxes. Xu, Hsu, and Zou also conspired to harbor at least 10 undocumented workers, which included employing the undocumented workers at restaurant, where they worked for below minimum wage or only for tips. At one time, they housed as many as 14 undocumented workers inside a single-family residence on Annapolis Avenue, according to court documents. Lin issued a check to the IRS for $450,000 in partial payment of his restitution.

U.S. v. Vonderembse: Sandra Vonderembse, a psychiatrist from Oregon, Ohio, was sentenced last year to serve 18 months in prison and ordered to pay $565,128 in restitution. She failed to pay taxes and filed and false and fraudulent tax returns that included false statements regarding her income and the amount of tax due and owing. For three years, she falsely claimed to have no taxable income and to owe no taxes, despite earning more than $240,000 each year while working as a psychiatrist. In total, from 2005 through 2011, she attempted to evade more than $360,000 in income tax liabilities.

U.S. v. Klocker: Thomas Klocker, of Lakewood, was sentenced to a year in custody and ordered to pay nearly $1.8 million restitution and fines for taking improper write-offs and not reporting taxable income. Klocker was the sole shareholder and operator of All Metal Sales (AMS) in Westlake. He also operated TT Charter Leasing, which was in the business of chartering the luxury yacht “Tommy Time”. Klocker diverted corporate funds from AMS for his own use to benefit his personal lifestyle and avoid personal income liabilities between 2007 and 2010. For example, Klocker diverted funds from AMS to construct a waterfront residence in Lakewood and to maintain his 68’ Sunseeker yacht, as well as to pay for luxury travel and to make cash withdrawals. He reported substantial business losses arising from the operating costs and expenses arising from the personal use of the TT Charter Leasing yacht, according to court documents. He also misrepresented his personal expenses entered into AMS’ books and records by falsely describing them as legitimate business expenses. Klocker also provided false information to his tax-return preparers about expenses he described as business-related which were, in fact, personal in nature – including luxury travel with his family, according to court documents.

An Ohio man was indicted on methamphetamine and firearms charges, said U.S. Attorney Carole S. Rendon.

 

Matthew R. Golech, 37, was indicted one count of possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and one count of using a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.

 

Golech, on Jan. 15, had approximately a 50 grams of methamphetamines. He also had a Bersa Firestorm .22 caliber pistol which he used in furtherance of drug trafficking, according to the indictment.

 

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron P. Howell following an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

 

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the United States of America’s burden to prove each defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

 

If convicted, a defendant’s sentence will be determined by the Court after review of factors unique to this case, including the defendants’ prior criminal record, if any, the defendants’ roles in the offense and the characteristics of the violations.

A Cleveland man was indicted on federal firearms and drug charges, said Carole S. Rendon, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio.

 

Terrell Howard, 47, was indicted on four counts: being a felon in possession of two firearms and ammunition; possessing with the intent to distribute crack cocaine; possessing with the intent to distribute marijuana and maintaining a drug house.

 

Howard possessed with the intent to distribute crack cocaine base and marijuana on Oct. 19, 2016, according to the indictment.

 

He also a residence on West 9th Street in Cleveland for the purpose of distributing marijuana, according to the indictment.

 

Howard possessed a .45 caliber pistol, a .40 caliber pistol, and ammunition on Oct. 19, 2016, despite having multiple felony convictions, according to the indictment.

 

The Drug Enforcement Agency conducted the investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ranya Elzein.

 

If convicted, the court will determine Terrell Howard’s sentence after a review of factors unique to this case, including his prior criminal record, if any, his role in the offense, and the characteristics of the violation. In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and, in most cases, it will be less than the maximum.

 

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government's burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

An Akron man was indicted on federal drug and firearms charges, said U.S. Attorney Carole S. Rendon.

 

Robert E. Evans, 39, was indicted on one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm and one count of possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine.

 

Evans, on Jan. 26, had approximately an ounce of methamphetamines in his home as well as a Colt .45 caliber pistol, despite felony convictions which prohibited him from possessing firearms, according to the indictment.

 

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron P. Howell following an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Akron Police Department’s Gun Violence Reduction Unit.

 

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the United States of America’s burden to prove each defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

 

If convicted, a defendant’s sentence will be determined by the Court after review of factors unique to this case, including the defendants’ prior criminal record, if any, the defendants’ roles in the offense and the characteristics of the violations.

 

A Youngstown man pleaded guilty to selling heroin that resulted in a fatal overdose, said Carole S. Rendon, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio, and Stephen D. Anthony, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Cleveland Office.

Shayne Mascarella, 23, is scheduled to be sentenced June 21. He distributed heroin that directly resulted in the July 19, 2015 death in Youngstown of a person identified in the court documents as L.Z.

“Heroin has caused an unprecedented wave of death, pain and destruction in Ohio,” U.S. Attorney Carole S. Rendon said. “No corner of the state is immune. Only though aggressive law enforcement -- combined with education and prevention efforts, changes in prescribing practices and making treatment available to those who want help -- can we turn the tide on the opioid epidemic.”

 

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Jason M. Katz and David M. Toepfer. The investigation preceding the indictment was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Mahoning Valley Violent Crimes Task Force and the Mahoning Valley Law Enforcement Task Force, which includes representatives from the Boardman Police Department, the Youngstown Police Department, the Mahoning County Sheriff's Office, the Ohio Adult Parole Authority, and others.

A Toledo man was indicted on charges of sex trafficking and sexual exploitation of a child after taking and advertising sexually explicit photos of a minor on the Internet and facilitating dozens of commercial sex acts, said U.S. Attorney Carole S. Rendon and FBI Special Agent in Charge Stephen D. Anthony.

 

Lawrence Jones, 29, met via social media a minor who had run away from home. Jones transported the girl to a home on Coventry Avenue in Toledo, where he took nude photographs of her and posted them online, offering commercial sex acts in the Toledo area in January, according to court documents.

 

The minor performed approximately 25 commercial sex acts, with all the money going to Jones. The minor told Jones several times that she was not yet 18 years old, according to court documents.

 

If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the Court after reviewing factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, the defendant’s role in the offense and the characteristics of the violation. In all cases the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and, in most cases, it will be less than the maximum.

 

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Toledo office and the Northwest Ohio Violent Crimes Against Children Task Force. The case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alissa M. Sterling and Daniel R. Hurley.

 

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. Defendants are entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

A 45-count indictment was unsealed charging a Toledo man with conspiring to traffic heroin and cocaine, said U.S. Attorney Carole S. Rendon and FBI Special Agent in Charge Stephen D. Anthony.

 

Cornelius Henry, 43, conspired with others from 2011 through 2016 to possess with intent to distribute large amounts of heroin and cocaine.

 

Henry also possessed at least two firearms despite multiple felony convictions that made it illegal for him to have a firearm. He used the residence at 2214 Airport Highway in Toledo to store and distribute the drugs, according to the indictment.

 

Prosecutors are seeking to forfeit two properties on Airport Highway, three firearms and ammunition, five automobiles, one motorcycle and $4,020 in cash seized as part of the investigation, as well as a money judgement of at least $182,000, according to the indictment.

 

If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the Court after reviewing factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, the defendant’s role in the offense and the characteristics of the violation. In all cases the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and, in most cases, it will be less than the maximum.

 

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Toledo office, the Internal Revenue Service and the Toledo Metro Drug Task Force. The case is being handled by Assistant United States Attorneys Alissa M. Sterling and Michael J. Freeman.

 

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. Defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

Six people were indicted in federal court for their roles in a drug conspiracy that resulted in the seizure of 17 kilograms of cocaine and more than $500,000 in cash, law enforcement officials said.

 

Named in the seven-count indictment are: Marty V. McCaulley, 42, of Lyndhurst; Carl D. Penny, 50, of Oldsmar, Florida; Adolfo Maya Magadan, 58, of Glenn Heights, Texas; Renee Ballin Serna, 24, of Chicago; Omar S. Williams, 41, of South Euclid, and Paul V. Cramer, 44, of Willowick.

 

All six are charged with conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute and distribution of cocaine. McCaulley and Williams are also charged with being felons in possession of firearms.

 

Magadan brought cocaine to Ohio and Serna sold it to McCaulley for further distribution. McCaulley met with Serna on Feb. 3 at the Courtyard by Marriott hotel in Willoughby Hills and give him $110,000 in cash. Magadan then gave six kilograms of cocaine to Serna, who gave the drugs to McCaulley. McCaulley then distributed a kilogram of cocaine to Cramer, according to the indictment

 

McCaulley and Serna then met with Penny at an apartment in Willoughby Hills. Penny had digital scales, plastic bags, rubber bands and $103,100 in cash.

 

Williams had nearly eight kilograms of cocaine and $210,041 in cash at a residence in South Euclid on Feb. 4, according to the indictment.

 

Prosecutors are seeking for forfeit $511,734 in cash, four firearms and a 2011 Jeep Wrangler seized during the investigation.

 

“The amount of cocaine, cash and guns taken off this group is remarkable,” U.S. Attorney Carole S. Rendon said. “It demonstrates they were serious drug traffickers, but law enforcement from across Northeast Ohio was able to work together to stop them.”

 

Special Agent in Charge Timothy J. Plancon said: “The seizure of 17 kilograms of cocaine and over half a million dollars from this group indicates that they were part of a large, multi-state conspiracy. Putting an end to their activities makes everyone in the region a little bit safer. The success of the investigation up to this point has been made possible thanks to the significant cooperation among all of our law enforcement partners.”

 

“The fact that several people from out of state are among those facing federal charges should send a strong message that Ohio is looking beyond the local drug dealers to identify suspects higher up in the supply chain,” said Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine. “These defendants allegedly worked together to distribute drugs throughout northeast Ohio, and I commend everyone involved in this effort who worked to intercept these narcotics.”

 

“Through the combined efforts, hard work and dedication of agents from the Medina County Drug Task Force, Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation and Cleveland DEA, what began as a 'community impact' investigation centered on Medina County evolved into an investigation of a much larger scale,” said Gary Hubbard, director of the Medina County Drug Task Force. “Each of the investigators involved worked countless hours to bring this investigation to a successful resolution. The impact on Medina County and all of northeastern Ohio will be significant.”

 

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Agency, the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation, the Medina County Drug Task Force and the Ohio State Highway Patrol with assistance from members of the Lake County Narcotics Agency, Cuyahoga Sheriff’s Office, Cleveland Heights Police Department, Cleveland Division of Police, Lorain County Drug Task Force, Ashtabula County Sheriff’s Office and Customs and Border Protection. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Henry F. DeBaggis.

 

If convicted, the defendants’ sentences will be determined by the court after review of factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, the defendant’s role in the offense and the characteristics of the violations. In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and, in most cases, it will be less than the maximum.

 

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

A Canton man was indicted on child pornography charges, said U.S. Attorney Carole S. Rendon and FBI Special Agent in Charge Stephen D. Anthony.

 

Marshall Belden, Jr., 69, was charged with receiving, distributing and possessing visual depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct.

 

Belden on Oct. 24, 2016 knowingly received and distributed numerous computer files which contained visual depictions of real minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct, and which files had been shipped and transported in and affecting interstate and foreign commerce. On Jan. 26, 2017, Belden possessed a computer and an external hard drive, each of which contained child pornography, according to the indictment.

 

If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the court after review of factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, the defendant's role in the offense and the characteristics of the violation. In all cases the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and in most cases it will be less than the maximum.

 

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael A. Sullivan following an investigation by the Canton office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Canton Police Department.

 

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.