Federal, state and local law enforcement officials announced the unsealing of a 63-count superseding indictment that charged 20 members of a drug trafficking operation (DTO) in Sandusky, according to a news release.
The alleged was responsible for trafficking distribution quantities of controlled substances in the Greater Sandusky area, including fentanyl and fentanyl analogues in both powder and counterfeit pill form, as well as methamphetamine and cocaine, the release said.
The investigation that led to the indictment took place earlier this spring and summer.
Individuals were apprehended in a series of coordinated arrests, and agents have seized large quantities of fentanyl, fentanyl analogues, cocaine, and methamphetamine, including thousands of fentanyl pills masquerading as legitimate prescription medication, the release said.
Agents also seized cash proceeds and numerous illegally possessed firearms during the investigation.
United States Attorney Rebecca C. Lutzko for the Northern District of Ohio, DEA Special Agent-in-Charge Orville Greene and Sandusky Police Department Chief Jared Oliver made the announcement Sept. 19.
“The indictment alleges a coordinated effort by the members of this drug trafficking operation to fuel and profit from the region’s drug trade, and the widespread opioid and other drug addictions that accompany it,” Lutzko said. “These charges and arrests will significantly reduce in the Greater Sandusky area the distribution of these poisons, which are crippling our communities.
“We applaud our federal, state and local law enforcement partners who have worked tirelessly to bring this criminal organization’s operations to a halt. Sandusky’s streets are safer today as a result.”
Defendants charged:
• Danny Lee Johnson, also known as Uncle Danny, 39, Elyria
• Shon Alexander, also known as Lil Man, 33, Sandusky
• Mark Milten Castile, also known as Castile Jr. and also known as Little Mark, 27, Sandusky
• Mark Milton Castile, also known as Castile Sr. and also known as MC, 50, Sandusky
• Markier Castile, 22, Sandusky
• Johnny Diego Desounyez Cherry, 41, Sandusky
• Marquez Clinton, also known as, Quez, 38, Sandusky
• Alycia Cross, 33, Sandusky
• Anrico Cunningham, also known as Suave, 40, Sandusky
• Marvin Cunningham, also known as Marv, 62, Sandusky
• Brian Giving, also known as Hurt, 43, Sandusky
• Brent Hanson, 25, Sandusky
• Salei Harris, also known as Bernard, 38, Sandusky
• Eric Irby, 30, Sandusky
• Bryonia Myers, 35, Sandusky
• Tremar Pearson, 24, Sandusky
• Jarvis Pool, also known as Shorty J, 42, Sandusky
• Kendrick Scott, also known as Cheese, 51, Sandusky
• Dashour Smith, 28, Sandusky
• Dean Swain, also known as Dino, 42, Sandusky
The investigation
The superseding indictment alleges that from April 2023 to August 2024, the defendants did unlawfully, knowingly and intentionally combine, conspire, confederate and agree with each other to distribute and possess with intent to distribute, mixtures and substances containing detectable amounts of cocaine, cocaine base (crack), fentanyl and methamphetamine, all Schedule II controlled substances and fentanyl analogues, a Schedule I controlled substance.
According to court documents, Johnson, an Elyria-based cocaine source of supply, arranged delivery of bulk cocaine to purchasers in Sandusky, using a network of associates and stash houses to store, break-down, package and redistribute narcotics and profits resulting from the illegal drug
trafficking, the release said.
Some associates would receive bulk cocaine and fentanyl pills stamped to appear as prescription oxycodone pills and repackage to distribute.
Others transported, or assisted in transporting cocaine, drug proceeds and firearms.
Several associates conducted their operations out of the Chill Palace, a bar in Sandusky, where they distributed fentanyl, methamphetamine,
cocaine, crack cocaine and other related drugs to customers throughout the region, the release said.
Other associates received bulk methamphetamine sent through the mail, and one maintained an unlicensed gambling house at a residence in Sandusky, which was used as a distribution center.
“This was a highly organized, poly-drug distribution organization, supplying our communities with bulk quantities of controlled substances including fentanyl in both powder and counterfeit pill form,” Greene said. “These quantities had the potential to kill hundreds of thousands of people.
“Today’s enforcement action demonstrates the strength of our partnerships and our commitment to keeping our communities safe.”
Oliver added that the Sandusky Police Department was proud to have such a great partnership with both the DEA and Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation and Identification (BCI).
“It is because of these partnerships that this investigation resulted in the arrests of several individuals and the seizure of substantial amounts of fentanyl, fentanyl pills, methamphetamine and cocaine,” he said. “I echo US Attorney Lutzko’s statement, our community is safer today because of the tireless efforts of our detectives, the BCI agents and the DEA in dismantling this drug trafficking operation.”
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt.
The investigation preceding the superseding indictment was conducted by the DEA, Sandusky Police Department and Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation and Identification.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Robert Melching and Frank Spryszak for the Northern District of Ohio are prosecuting the case.