DOJ Accuses 13 People Of Involvement In OH Fentanyl Ring

AKRON, OH — A group of 13 people tried to sell fentanyl, cocaine and methamphetamine in northern Ohio, according to the Department of Justice and a newly returned indictment.

Damien Roger Marcel Stafford, 41, of Akron, is accused of buying fentanyl and other substances from a dealer in Cleveland, according to the indictment. He then used eight others to distribute the drugs to homes in Akron. The drugs were then given to sellers who pushed the drugs to buyers, the indictment said.

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is up to 100 times more potent than morphine, the Drug Enforcement Administration said. The drug has been a significant contributor to Ohio's opioid overdose epidemic. Fentanyl played a role in 76 percent of all overdose deaths in Ohio in 2019, the Ohio Department of Health reported.

On Sept, 23, 2021, the indicted said, law enforcement raided multiple homes in Akron as part of an investigation into drug trafficking. Stafford and multiple bags of white and off-white substances were found inside one of the raided homes, the Department of Justice said.

The seized material was tested and later confirmed to be fentanyl, the indictment said.

During the investigation, according to the Department of Justice, law enforcement 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.

The FBI, ATF and Akron Police Department led the investigation.

The 13 suspects named in the indictment are: Stafford; Chezerae D. Floyd, 44, of Akron, Ohio; Lucian D. Blackwell, 41, of Akron, Ohio; Craig L. Johnstone, 49, of Akron, Ohio; Rausheeda L. Hyshaw, 41, of Akron, Ohio; Antwain D. Stewart, 41, of Akron, Ohio; Ricky Lynn Vaughn, 60, of Akron, Ohio; Clifford E. Stafford, 44, of Akron, Ohio; Dorshaun R. Tucker, 41, of Akron, Ohio; Alexander Prieto, 41, of Cleveland, Ohio; Marian Ripley, 21, of Akron, Ohio; Travis Blankenship, 31, of Charleston, West Virginia and Jessica McClanahan, 31, of Charleston, West Virginia.

Each suspect faces charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl, methamphetamine, valeryl fentanyl and cocaine. Individual members of the group face charges for intent to distribute a controlled substances, illegal 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.