20 Charged in Sandusky Drug Trafficking Ring

TOLEDO, Ohio - Federal, state, and local law enforcement officials announced the unsealing of a superseding indictment that charged 20 members of a Drug Trafficking Operation (DTO) operating in Sandusky, Ohio. The Sandusky DTO is alleged to be 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 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. Agents also seized cash proceeds and numerous illegally possessed firearms during the investigation. This announcement was made by United States Attorney Rebecca C. Lutzko for the Northern District of Ohio, DEA Special Agent in Charge Orville Greene, and Sandusky Police Chief Jared Oliver.

"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," said United States Attorney Rebecca C. Lutzko. "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."

The following defendants were charged in the 63-count superseding indictment:

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

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

The superseding indictment alleges that from about 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. 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. 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. 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" said DEA Special Agent in Charge Orville Greene.

"The Sandusky Police Department is proud to have such a great partnership with both the DEA and Ohio 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. 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," said Sandusky Police Chief Jarod Oliver.

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.

If convicted, each 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.

The investigation preceding the superseding indictment was conducted by the DEA, Sandusky Police Department, and the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation and Identification (BCI).

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Robert Melching and Frank Spryszak for the Northern District of Ohio.