Showing posts with label ohio bureau of investigation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ohio bureau of investigation. Show all posts

Sunday, August 26, 2012

Leader of Multi-State Marijuana Trafficking and Shoplifting Conspiracies Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison


CINCINNATI—Frederick Reed, a.k.a. “Freaky Fred,” 59, of Lima, Ohio was sentenced in U.S. District Court today to 10 years in federal prison for leading a marijuana trafficking conspiracy, using the proceeds to buy approximately 100 parcels of real estate in and around Allen County, Ohio, and directing a multi-state shoplifting ring targeting numerous commercial supply stores in a number of states to get items to maintain the properties.

Carter M. Stewart, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Edward J. Hanko, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Cincinnati Field Division (FBI); and Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine and the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation (BCI) announced the sentence imposed today by U.S. District Judge Michael A. Barrett.

Reed pleaded guilty on March 14, 2011, to one count of conspiracy to traffic more than 1,000 kilograms of marijuana and one count of transporting stolen property in interstate commerce. According to court documents, Reed admitted that the organization was responsible for the distribution of at least 33,000 pounds of marijuana.

Reed used some of the profits from the distribution of marijuana to purchase approximately 100 pieces of real estate, either individually or jointly with Susan Kay Risser, 55, in and around Allen County, Ohio, that they used as rental property. To maintain the rental properties, Reed admitted that he conspired with others to steal more than $1 million in merchandise from building and commercial supply stores in Ohio, Indiana, Alabama, Kentucky, Arkansas, Tennessee, Florida, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Kansas, Nebraska, New York, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, Washington, Missouri, and elsewhere.

Reed and eight others were indicted on December 15, 2010, and arrested on December 22. Seven of his co-conspirators have pleaded guilty and been sentenced. Risser pleaded guilty on September 16, 2011, to one count of conspiracy. Risser’s sentence includes a personal money judgment against her of $3,694,700.

Today Judge Barrett ordered Reed placed on home confinement due to a serious medical condition, pending a report date to federal prison. Reed was also ordered to forfeit his interests in the real estate.

“The U.S. Marshals Service is coordinating their efforts with Allen County and Lima government and housing officials to ensure as little disruption as possible for the occupants of the properties while they are in the marshals’ custody,” Stewart said. “The properties will eventually be sold to new owners.”

The investigation grew from a 2006 investigation based in Clermont County, Ohio, that resulted in guilty pleas from 11 people in the case U.S. v Jose Alfonso Silveyra et al.

Reed was also fined $4,000 and ordered to serve five years of supervised release after his prison term ends.

Stewart commended the joint investigation by agents in the FBI’s Cincinnati Division along with agents in the FBI’s resident agencies in Lima, Ohio, and Nashville, Tennessee, as well as the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General, Ohio BCI agents, and deputies and officers with the sheriff’s offices in Clermont, Adams, and Allen counties in Ohio and the police departments in Lima and Ft. Shawnee, Ohio; along with the Davidson County (Tennessee) Sheriff’s Office; the Franklin, Brentwood, and Gallatin Police Departments in Tennessee; and the Phoenix, Arizona Police Department.

Stewart also commended District Criminal Chief Kenneth L. Parker, who prosecuted the case.

Monday, June 20, 2011

ATF Offers $2,000 Reward

Investigators Seek Information Regarding Explosive Device at Northfield Police Department
CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) is offering a reward of up to $2,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for an illegal explosive device found on a police officer’s personal vehicle in the parking lot of the Northfield Police Department, 10455 Northfield Road. The officer discovered the explosive device on his personal vehicle on May 20.

ATF, the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation (BCI) and the Summit County Bomb Squad responded to the scene. Investigators are analyzing the evidence collected and are actively pursuing investigative leads. ATF and the Northfield police are seeking the public’s help in providing any information that may assist investigators in solving the case.

“This criminal act poses a danger to police officers and the community,” said Lance Kimmell, ATF, group supervisor, Cleveland Group I, Columbus Field Division. “Thankfully no one was injured. We are asking the community to provide any information that would lead investigators to the perpetrator.”

Anyone having information should call the ATF Cleveland I Office at (216) 573-8100 or the Northfield Police Department at (330) 467-7139 ext. 14. All information will be treated confidentially and the callers will remain anonymous if requested.

ATF is the federal law enforcement agency with jurisdiction for investigating violations of federal explosives laws. More information on ATF and its programs can be found at ATF.gov.

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Eighteen Indicted in Drug Trafficking Organizations that Brought Cocaine, Heroin, and Marijuana to Akron

A father, son, and third man were charged with running a large-scale drug ring that brought cocaine, heroin, and marijuana from Las Vegas to Akron, law enforcement agents announced today.

Also, a related organization was charged with bringing thousands of pounds of marijuana from Arizona into Akron.

Overall, 18 people were charged for their roles in the drug rings, which is detailed in the eight-count indictment unsealed today.

“These defendants brought hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of drugs into Akron,” said Steven M. Dettelbach, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio. “They sold this poison on our streets with one motivation—to make money.”

Many of the defendants were arrested this morning. Those indicted are:

■Anthony Deaun Norman, Jr., 25, Akron, Ohio
■Anthony Deaun Norman, Sr., 42, Akron, Ohio
■Nicholas P. Helfrick, 30, Akron, Ohio
■Robert L. Donahue, III, 33, Clinton, Ohio
■James J. Hallberg, 41, Casa Grande, Arizona
■Edward E. Steinbacher, 45, Hinckley, Ohio
■Marshall C. West, 33, Akron, Ohio
■Michael S. Coble 31 Akron, Ohio
■Robert E. Evans, III, 34, Akron, Ohio
■Anthony T. Skipper, Jr., 30, Akron, Ohio
■Daniel R. Dunson, 44, Akron, Ohio
■Jeremy A. Simmons, 33, Akron, Ohio
■Russell A. Dimick, 41, Akron, Ohio
■Thomas D. Hilton, Jr., 31, Akron, OH
■Jeffrey M. Guthier, 34, Norton, Ohio
■Jerry Gutierrez Robles, 58, Casa Grande, Arizona
■Dwaine J. Traylor, 39, Akron, Ohio
■JC Lanair Walton, 34, Copley, Ohio
Count 1 charges Anthony Deaun Norman, Jr., Anthony Deaun Norman, Sr., and Nicholas P. Helfrick with conspiracy to distribute cocaine, heroin, and marijuana. The indictment alleges the conspiracy existed from May 2010 to February 11, 2011, and involved Norman Jr. obtaining drugs from supplier in Las Vegas.

Anthony Deaun Norman, Jr. is charged in Count 2 with possession with intent to distribute approximately nine kilograms of cocaine which were seized by law enforcement in Akron on August 29, 2010. Norman, Jr. is also charged in Count 3 with being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition.

Count 4 charges Robert L. Donahue, III, James J. Hallberg, Edward E. Steinbacher, Nicholas P. Helfrick, Marshall C. West, Michael S. Coble, Robert E. Evans, III, Anthony T. Skipper, Jr., Daniel R. Dunson, Jeremy A. Simmons, Russell A. Dimick, Thomas D. Hilton, Jr., Jeffrey M. Guthier, Jerry Gutierrez Robles, Dwaine J. Traylor, and JC Lanair Walton with conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 1,000 kilograms or more of marijuana. The indictment alleges the conspiracy existed from 2006 to March 20, 2011, and involved Donahue obtaining marijuana from an Arizona supplier.

Count 5 charges Robert L. Donahue, III, James J. Hallberg, and Edward E. Steinbacher with knowingly and intentionally possessing with the intent to distribute approximately 873 pounds of marijuana on or about March 17, 2011, which was seized in Akron, Ohio.

Edward E. Steinbacher is charged in Count 6 with traveling in interstate or foreign commerce to promote unlawful activities, that is, marijuana trafficking.

Robert L. Donahue, III is charged in Counts 7 and 8 with money laundering and conspiracy to launder monetary instruments.

If convicted, the defendants’ sentences will be determined by the court after review of factors unique to this case, including the defendants’ prior criminal records, if any, the defendants’ roles in the offenses and the characteristics of the violations. In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and in most cases it will be less than the maximum.

The investigation was conducted under the U.S. Attorney’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) which is part of a national program that seeks to identify, investigate and prosecute significant drug trafficking enterprises.

The investigation preceding the indictment was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation, Summit County Sheriff’s Department Drug Unit, the Akron Police Department Street Narcotics Uniformed Detail, and the Akron Police Department Narcotics Unit.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Samuel A. Yannucci and Robert E. Bulford.

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.