Five Cincinnati Men Indicted on Multiple Drug and Gun Charges

CINCINNATI—Edward J. Hanko, Special Agent in Charge (SAC) of the Cincinnati Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); Carter M. Stewart, U.S. Attorney, Southern District of Ohio; and James E. Craig, Cincinnati Chief of Police, announced today that Phillip Shaw, Antonio Woods, Ryan Neel, Yahmale Brown, and Quenton Thomas have all been indicted by a federal grand jury on multiple charges related to drug trafficking, robbery, and weapons violations.

The indictment alleges that Shaw, Woods, Neel, Brown, and Thomas planned to rob an individual of approximately one half kilogram of heroin, approximately one quarter kilogram of cocaine, and approximately $80,000 in currency on or around March 9 to March 10, 2012.

Shaw, Woods, Neel, Brown, and Thomas have all been charged with one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin and a measurable amount of cocaine (maximum of 40 years in prison and/or fines up to $5 million); conspiring to take and obtain personal property consisting of heroin, cocaine, and U.S. currency (maximum of 20 years in prison and/or fines up to $250,000); attempt to possess with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin (maximum of 40 years in prison and/or fines up to $5 million); possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense (mandatory minimum penalty of five years to life in prison and a fine of up to $250,000); and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence (mandatory minimum penalty of 25 years to life in prison and a fine of up to $250,000).

Phillip Shaw was additionally indicted for being a felon in possession of a firearm (maximum of 10 years in prison and/or fines up to $250,000).

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Cincinnati Police Department. All suspects are currently in federal custody.

The public is reminded that indictments contain only allegations of criminal misconduct and that defendants are presumed to be innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.