SANDUSKY, Ohio — 20 people are facing federal charges in relation to an alleged drug trafficking ring out of Sandusky, according to a press release from the the Department of Justice.
The suspects, all but one of whom are from Sandusky, are accused of distributing cocaine, crack, fentanyl and methamphetamine, in an operation lasting from April 2023 to August 2024. The DOJ alleged the suspects conducted their operations in part out of Sandusky bar "Chill Palace," where they distributed the drugs.
Prosecutors said the investigation was working to make Sandusky a safer place and to reduce the prevalence of dangerous drugs.
"These charges and arrests will significantly reduce in the greater Sandusky area the distribution of these poison, which are crippling our communities," said US Attorney Rebecca C. Lutzko in the release. "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."
In the release, investigators said the operation involved a network of associates, stash houses and deliveries. An "unlicensed gambling house" in Sandusky was allegedly used as a distribution center, as well.
Law enforcement conducted a series of what was described as coordinated arrests, seizing large quantities of the aforementioned drugs. They also seized cash and illegally-possessed firearms, authorities said.
Of the 20 suspects, 19 are from Sandusky, the press release stated. Among them, 63 total indictments were filed. The suspects are named in the release as follows:
- Danny Lee Johnson, aka, Uncle Danny, 39, Elyria, Ohio
- Shon Alexander, aka Lil Man, 33, Sandusky, Ohio
- Mark Milten Castile, aka Castile Jr., aka Little Mark, 27, Sandusky, Ohio
- Mark Milton Castile, aka Castile Sr., aka MC, 50, Sandusky, Ohio
- Markier Castile, 22, Sandusky, Ohio
- Johnny Diego Desounyez Cherry, 41, Sandusky
- Marquez Clinton, aka, Quez, 38, Sandusky, Ohio
- Alycia Cross, 33, Sandusky, Ohio
- Anrico Cunningham, aka, Suave, 40, Sandusky, Ohio
- Marvin Cunningham, aka Marv, 62, Sandusky, Ohio
- Brian Giving, aka, Hurt, 43, Sandusky, Ohio
- Brent Hanson, 25, Sandusky, Ohio
- Salei Harris, aka Bernard, 38, Sandusky, Ohio
- Eric Irby, 30, Sandusky, Ohio
- Bryonia Myers, 35, Sandusky, Ohio,
- Tremar Pearson, 24, Sandusky, Ohio
- Jarvis Pool, aka Shorty J, 42, Sandusky, Ohio
- Kendrick Scott, aka Cheese, 51, Sandusky, Ohio
- Dashour Smith, 28, Sandusky, Ohio
- Dean Swain, aka Dino, 42, Sandusky, Ohio
Prior to the indictment, the rings was investigated by Sandusky police, the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation and the federal Drug Enforcement Agency.
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