Akron Police: 6 arrested after searches reveal drugs, weapons. We hope that translates to fewer instances of gun violence where people are being victimized, said Lt. Miller. Houston sees increase in fentanyl-laced drugs, Houstons drug testing lab reports an alarming increase in seized pills containing the synthetic opiod, fentanyl, which, according to authorities can be lethal in small amounts. . Police executing a search warrant at a Merriman Valley apartment last September knew they had a suspect when they found the Akron man wearing latex gloves and a respirator. Monday, Police found 46 grams of suspected fentanyl, 70 grams of methamphetamines and 448 grams of an unknown powder substance from the house in the 600 block of Hudson Avenue. Someare also charged with possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, felon in possession of a firearm, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense, maintaining a drug premises and using a communication facility to facilitate a drug offense. Vaughn, Johnstone, Floyd, Blackwell and Stewart are accused of distributing the drugs from the residences. 19 month investigation in Akron leads to drug and weapons bust. Akron police said an officer found cocaine in Travis's pocket. The indictment stated that Stafford purchased fentanyl, methamphetamine and cocaine from Prieto and other drug suppliers. Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement updated 7/1/2022). 2022 Advance Local Media LLC. Searches yield cash, drugs: Akron police raid two homes, seizing a pound of cocaine and more than $87,000 cash. Yalinda Cunningham, 37, was charged with trafficking and possession, police said. Officials did not release the names of the individuals taken into custody Thursday. Cheyenne Porter, 23, was charged with possession, police said. CINCINNATI, Ohio Fourteen people are facing federal charges in connection with a drug ring that distributed fentanyl, heroin and methamphetamine to parts of Indiana and Ohio, including the Akron area. Copyright 2022 WOIO. Police said they also searched a residence on the 800 block of Stanwood Avenue, finding and seizing a bevy of items, including: more than $87,000 in cash, three handguns, 1 pound of cocaine, half. Shannon Sammons, 38, was charged with trafficking, possession and weapons under disability, police said. Police said the search of his apartment and several other homes in the city yielded 16.6 kilograms - more than 35 pounds - of fentanyl, along with almost 10 kilograms of methamphetamine and other drugs. Each of the defendants is charged with conspiring to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Southern District of Ohio. They federally indicting me right now for eight controlled buys and 24 grams of marijuana that they bought out of this store, he said. At one residence, officers encountered Damien Stafford, who is considered to be the mastermind of the scheme, wearing latex gloves and a mask. Akron Police Department remains committed to enhancing public safety, and doing its part in taking illegal drugs and guns off the streets, while helping to make communities safer, Lt. Michael Miller, Public Information Officer, said in a press release. All rights reserved. Akron police narcotics unit worked the investigation that ultimately led to federal involvement. Parish has not been found. Yes, I did it, and yes, I shouldnt have done it, but come on, its THC and you got me on a federal indictment because you got somebody in federal custody telling you I am somebody that I am not.. As the investigation moved on the DEA deemed it as an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force Case. Hyshaw, Floyd, Blankenship, McClanahan, Clifford Stafford, Tucker, Blackwell and Riley allegedly stored the drugs at multiple residences in the Akron area. During the search, investigators seized 2,350 grams of methamphetamine and 2,718 counterfeit Oxycodone pills that contained fentanyl. Andrea Hilhoan, 32, was charged with trafficking and weapons under disability, police said. Timothy Corbett, 41, and 22-year-old Reese Reed are facing . European man travels to Westlake to meet 16-year-old girl, Jayland Walkers family releases statement after Issue 10 passes in Akron, Man pleads guilty in deadly drunk driving crash in Solon, High fire risk in Ohio / Wildfire breaks out at wooded area in Mentor, Arraignment continued for man accused of killing 2 Cleveland brothers in 2020, 400 Years: The Vestiges of Slavery in Cleveland, Closed Captioning/Audio Description Problems. Authorities found one pound of powder cocaine, one ounce of fentanyl, a half ounce of methamphetamines, over $87,000 in cash and three loaded handguns when searching a home in the 800 block of Stanwood Avenue, according to a press release. In total, law enforcement officials seized approximately 16.6 kilograms of fentanyl, 9.9 kilograms of methamphetamine, one kilogram of valeryl fentanyl, 400 grams of cocaine, one semiautomatic rifle, and four semiautomatic pistols during the execution of the search warrants. Nine members of the alleged conspiracy were arrested Thursday morning after the indictment was unsealed in federal court. Also charged areAlexander Prieto, 41, of Cleveland, andTravis Blankenship, 31, and Jessica McClanahan, 31, of Charleston, West Virginia. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Copyright 2020 WOIO. Akron Police said officers found one pound of powder cocaine, one ounce of fentanyl, a half ounce of. News never stops. Amanda Howard, 43, was charged with possession, police said. Police said they found Damien Stafford at his Weathervane Lane apartment wearing latex gloves and a mask and foundmultiple bags of drugsthat were later confirmed to contain fentanyl on the bathroom floor and inside the toilet. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Officers with the FBI, ATF, Greater Akron Safe Streets Task Force and Akron Police Department executed search warrants at residences connected to the conspiracy on Sept. 23. They also found two guns, ecstasy, fentanyl and stolen license plates in the car. A federal grand jury recently indicted 13 individuals as part of the alleged citywide drug distribution operation and nine people were arrested Thursday morning after theindictment was unsealed in federal court. Stafford enlisted Hyshaw, Floyd, Blankenship, McClanahan, Clifford Strafford, Tucker, Blackwell and Riley to transport the drugs to be stored at multiple residences in the Akron area. Akron Narcotics Detectives began the investigation when someone tipped them that the owner of Dubba Bubbas, a vape store in Akron, was selling marijuana. They also seized. Ray Cottrill, 49, was charged with possession, police said. Named in the indictment are 10 defendants from Akron: Damien Roger Marcel Stafford, 41; Chezerae D. Floyd, 44; Lucian D. Blackwell, 41; Craig L. Johnstone, 49; Rausheeda L. Hyshaw, 41; Antwain D. Stewart, 41; Ricky Lynn Vaughn, 60; Clifford E. Stafford, 44; Dorshaun R. Tucker, 41; and Marian Ripley, 21; Also named were Alexander Prieto, 41, of Cleveland, Ohio; and Travis Blankenship, 31, and Jessica McClanahan, 31, both of Charleston, West Virginia. Five Akron men are facing drug trafficking charges after a years-long investigation led local and federal authorities to search two Akron-area homes where they seized about 88 pounds of marijuana . Follow him on Twitter @MarottaEric. Police say charges are pending against the vape store owner, but the store owner claims he is just a bit player in this case and should not be facing federal charges. AKRON, Ohio (WOIO) - Six people are behind bars after an extensive, ongoing investigation by Akron Police Department led to two major drug busts. The Akron residents are:Damien Roger Marcel Stafford, 41; Chezerae D. Floyd, 44;Lucian D. Blackwell, 41;Craig L. Johnstone, 49; Rausheeda L. Hyshaw, 41; Antwain D. Stewart, 41; Ricky Lynn Vaughn, 60; Clifford E. Stafford, 44; Dorshaun R. Tucker, 41; and Marian Ripley, 21. Searches yield cash, drugs: Akron police raid two homes, seizing a pound of cocaine and more than $87,000 cash. Each person is charged with conspiring to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl, which could lead to at least 10 years and up to life in prison, according to Parker. All rights reserved (About Us). "Obviously, that's a huge and dangerous amount of product," he said. Each defendant is charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl, methamphetamine, valeryl fentanyl and cocaine. AKRON, Ohio (WOIO) - A federal grand jury returned an eighteen-count superseding indictment, charging 13 people as part of a drug trafficking conspiracy that sought to distribute fentanyl,. Akron police Lt. Michael Miller said the investigation is ongoing, but noted the amount of narcotics that wereseized was a significant amount of drugs. In addition to the fentanyl and methamphetamine, police also seized one kilogram of valeryl fentanyl, 400 grams of cocaine (about 14 ounces), one semi-automatic rifleand four semi-automatic pistols. Federal prosecutors say that Steffen "Worm" Roberson, 40, of Cincinnati, was running one of the largest heroin/fentanyl. All rights reserved. In addition, various members of the group are charged with possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, felon in possession of a firearm, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense, maintaining a drug premises and using a communication facility to facilitate a drug offense. Neither do we. Stafford then allegedly used Vaughn, Johnstone, Floyd, Blackwell and Stewart to distribute the drugs. All rights reserved. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your California Privacy Rights (User Agreement updated 1/1/21. Police say charges are pending against. HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - An Akron, Ohio man who helped lead a multi-state drug conspiracy entered a guilty plea today in federal court. Yalinda Cunningham, 37, was charged with trafficking and possession, police said. Federal prosecutors say that Steffen Worm Roberson, 40, of Cincinnati, was running one of the largest heroin/fentanyl drug trafficking organizations in the Cincinnati area. CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) -It was a 19-month investigation, eventually dubbed Operation Vapor Trail that saw law enforcement seize thousands of pounds of illegal marijuana products, 18 firearms, and $250,000 cash. The charge is punishable by at least 10 years and up to life in prison. They are all charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl, methamphetamine, valeryl fentanyl and cocaine. Akron Narcotics Detectives began the investigation when someone tipped them that the owner of Dubba Bubba's, a vape store in Akron, was selling marijuana. Acting US Attorney Michelle M. Baeppler made the announcement Thursday. The organization reportedly sent narcotics to Akron and Fairfield, Ohio, as well as Gary, Indiana. - An Akron, Ohio man who helped lead a multi-state drug conspiracy entered a guilty plea today in federal court. Federal grand jury charges 11 Ohio residents with Drug Trafficking Conspiracy, European man travels to Westlake to meet 16-year-old girl, Jayland Walkers family releases statement after Issue 10 passes in Akron, Man pleads guilty in deadly drunk driving crash in Solon, High fire risk in Ohio / Wildfire breaks out at wooded area in Mentor, Arraignment continued for man accused of killing 2 Cleveland brothers in 2020, 400 Years: The Vestiges of Slavery in Cleveland, Closed Captioning/Audio Description Problems. Officers detained Stafford, entered a bathroom and found multiple bags of various sizes both on the floor and inside the toilet. Named in the indictment are 10 Akron residents, a Cleveland man, and two West Virginiaresidents. George Devonte Langford, 29, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, 100 grams or more of heroin, and 40 grams or more of fentanyl. George Devonte Langford, 29, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, 100 grams or more of heroin, and 40 grams or more of fentanyl. Stafford, Vaughn and Hyshaw were arrested in September 2021, while another member was arrested in a separate case. Police said the search of his apartment and several other homes in the city yielded 16.6 kilograms more than 35 pounds of fentanyl, along with almost 10 kilograms of methamphetamine and other drugs. Three members of the suspected conspiracy had been arrested as part of the investigation in September, and one member was previously arrested in a separate case. This not only allows the community to breathe a sigh of relief, but it also makes what we hope to be a significant dent in their illegal operations, said Lt. Michael Miller of the Akron Police Department. According to the indictment, Damien Stafford is accused of purchasingfentanyl, methamphetamine and cocaine from drug suppliers, including Prieto, in Cleveland. The protection was needed because, according to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration,as little as 2 milligrams of fentanyl can kill a person and the man was busy trying to flush evidence down a toilet, police said. European man travels to Westlake to meet 16-year-old girl, Jayland Walkers family releases statement after Issue 10 passes in Akron, Man pleads guilty in deadly drunk driving crash in Solon, High fire risk in Ohio / Wildfire breaks out at wooded area in Mentor, Arraignment continued for man accused of killing 2 Cleveland brothers in 2020, 400 Years: The Vestiges of Slavery in Cleveland, Closed Captioning/Audio Description Problems. AKRON, Ohio (WOIO) - A federal grand jury returned an eighteen-count superseding indictment, charging 13 people as part of a drug trafficking conspiracy that sought to distribute fentanyl, methamphetamine and other controlled substances in the Akron area. The charge is punishable by at least 10 years and up to life in prison. According to court documents, the bags contained powdery white and off-white substances that were later tested and confirmed to contain fentanyl. Damien Stafford, Vaughn and Hyshaw were also arrested during the execution of the warrants. The Anti-Violence Bureau, assisted by SWAT, made the arrests Tuesday after conducting search warrants at two Akron homes. Akron Narcotics Detectives worked the case continually, and as the area has seen an uptick in gun violence, it was considered a big win getting those guns off the street. Support cleveland.com. 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