ELYRIA, Ohio — A program targeting synthetic opioids in Elyria that started in July of 2018 has resulted in 26 arrests, according to a news release from police.
Last year, Elyria police entered into a partnership with the U.S. Department of Justice for a pilot program, Operation Synthetic Opiod Surge (S.O.S.), the release states. The purpose of the program was to reduce the supply of deadly synthetic opioids in high-impact areas and to identify wholesale distribution networks.
Authorities did not disclose whether their efforts have led to a significant reduction in supply.
As a direct result of the program, the Elyria Police Department's Narcotics Unit arrested 26 people for either being in possession of or trafficking in fentanyl. In addition to drug charges, multiple subjects also face charges for possessing a firearm.
According to the Elyria police news release, the 26 arrested individuals are:
1. Anthony Blue - Indicted 10/11/2018 on (2) counts of distribution of controlled substances: crack and a heroin/fentanyl mix; pleaded guilty 2/22/2019, in custody at CCA Youngstown while awaiting sentencing
2. Tony O Carter – Indicted 1/4/2018 on (12) counts of distribution of controlled substances (cocaine and heroin/fentanyl mixes) and (1) count of conspiracy; pleaded guilty on 9/26/2018; sentenced to 151 months imprisonment on 2/8/2019
3. Pierre Alston - Indicted 2/6/2019 on (6) counts of dist of controlled substances: crack and heroin/fentanyl mixes; locked up at CCA while awaiting trial
4. Kenneth Ward - Indicted 7/24/2018 on (9) counts of dist of controlled substances and possession with intent to dist controlled substances: crack and heroin/fentanyl; pleaded guilty on 11/1/2018; sentenced to 100 months imprisonment on 2/12/2019
5. Brandon Williams - Indicted 10/11/2018 on (6) counts of dist of controlled substances (DCS) and possession with intent to DCS: crack and heroin/fentanyl; pleaded guilty on 4/5/2019, in custody at CCA Youngstown and awaits sentencing
6. Walter Brown Jr - Indicted 7/10/2018 on (1) count of DCS: heroin.
7. Sean Byrne - Indicted 11/14/2018 on (6) counts of DCS: heroin/fentanyl; locked up at CCA Youngstown while awaiting resolution of case
8. Christopher Robinson - Indicted 7/10/2018 on (3) counts of DCS: heroin.
9. Doyal Cannon - Indicted 8/14/2018 on (2) counts of DCS: crack and heroin/fentanyl and (1) count of being a felon in possession of a firearm; pleaded guilty on 3/13/2019, locked up at CCA and awaits sentencing
10. Stefan Carnes - Indicted 1/29/2019 on (2) counts of possession with intent to DCS: heroin/fentanyl, (1) count of felon in possession of a firearm, (1) count of use of a firearm in connection with a drug trafficking offense
11. Dennis Smith Jr - Indicted 7/10/2018 on (1) count of DCS: fentanyl; pleaded guilty on 10/11/2018; on 4/2/2019 sentenced to 150 months imprisonment.
12. Dwayne Taylor - Indicted 8/29/2018 on (8) counts of DCS: crack and heroin/fentanyl and (1) count of felon in possession of a firearm; pleaded guilty 1/29/2019, locked up at CCA and awaits sentencing
13. Dwon Williams - Indicted 10/11/2018 on (2) counts of DCS: crack, locked up in CCA and awaits trial
14. Kayla Ellis - Indicted 11/14/2018 on (6) counts of DCS: heroin/fentanyl; locked up in federal custody while awaiting resolution of case
15. Terrell Fennell – Indicted 3/6/2019 on (2) counts of DCS: crack and heroin, (1) count of felon in possession of a firearm and (1) count of use of a firearm in connection with a drug trafficking offense
16. David Jones - Indicted 2/6/2019 on (4) counts DCS: heroin/fentanyl and meth, (1) count felon in possession of firearm and (1) count use of firearm in connection with a drug trafficking offense, locked up in federal custody awaiting trial
17. Brian King - Indicted 10/11/2018 on (3) counts of DCS: crack; locked up in federal custody and awaiting trial
18. Leon P Robinson - Indicted 10/11/2018 on (3) counts of DCS: heroin/fentanyl; pleaded guilty on 11/26/2018, on 3/14/2019 sentenced to 16 months imprisonment.
19. Nick Latorre - Indicted 10/11/2018 on (3) counts DCS: heroin/fentanyl; locked up in ODRC custody in Mansfield Correctional Institution on a PV-related matter
20. Johnny Mack - Indicted 2/6/2019 on (1) carjacking; pleaded guilty on 4/9/2019, locked up in fed custody and awaiting trial
21. Matthew Makuch - Indicted 12/19/2018 on (5) counts DCS: heroin/fentanyl; locked up in fed custody awaiting trial
22. Abdul Mallory - Indicted 12/19/2018 on (5) counts DCS: crack and heroin/fentanyl; locked up in fed custody awaiting trial
23. Jovan Montgomery - Indicted 12/19/2018 on (4) counts DCS: heroin/fentanyl; locked up in fed custody awaiting trial
24. Joshua Novak - Indicted 3/27/2019 on (5) counts of DCS: crack and heroin/fentanyl, and (1) count of felon in possession of firearm; locked up in fed custody awaiting trial
25. Dameon Robertson - Indicted 10/11/2018 on (3) counts of DCS; crack and heroin/fentanyl and (1) count of being a felon in possession of a firearm; pleaded guilty on 3/13/2019 and awaits sentencing
26. Charles Urban - Indicted 12/19/2019 on (8) counts of DCS: crack, heroin, fentanyl and meth; locked up in fed custody awaiting trial
