The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio announced the unsealing of 17 federal indictments charging more than 30 people with weapons and illegal drug charges. Ten additional defendants will face state charges, according to the Department of Defense.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), with help from multiple federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, oversaw the investigation and arrest of defendants in a series of coordinated arrests that ended this morning. One federal defendant remains at large.
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The law enforcement operation lasted 60 days and focused on Akron’s most dangerous areas. During the inquiry, authorities seized 32 handguns, one revolver, six rifles, two suppressors, and machine gun conversion equipment. The illegal narcotics seized were 417.6 grams of powdered cocaine, 376 grams of cocaine base (crack), 94 grams of heroin, 4663.4 grams of methamphetamine, 443.5 kilos of marijuana, and 134.6 grams of fentanyl.
The statement was made by U.S. Attorney David M. Toepfer for the Northern District of Ohio, Acting Special Agent in Charge John G. Smerglia for the ATF Columbus Field Division, and Akron Police Chief Brian J. Harding.
The accusations align with the ATF’s recent announcement of the establishment of a new Akron Crime Gun Intelligence Center (CGIC). The CGIC will function as an intelligence hub and coordination center for local, state, and federal responses to firearm-related crimes. CGICs use cutting-edge forensic science and evidence to help investigate and prosecute violent crimes.
These returned indictments are separate and unrelated. All defendants are from Akron, unless otherwise noted:
Case Number (CN) 5:25CR430
· Robert Hazel, 40, of Tallmadge, is charged with Engaging in the Business of Manufacturing and Dealing Firearms without a License and Possession of Unregistered Firearms.
CN 5:25CR431
· Charles Klein, 49, of Tallmadge, is charged with Distribution of Methamphetamine.
CN 5:25CR432:
· Michael Czerpak, 45, and Jennifer Schaeffer, 37, are charged with Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine and Distribution of Methamphetamine.
CN 5:25CR433:
· David Felix, 33, is charged with Distribution of Cocaine.
CN 5:25CR434
· Gary Robinson, 26, is charged with Distribution of Marijuana, Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime, and Trafficking in Firearms.
· Walter Hicks, 23, is charged with Trafficking in Firearms.
· Alonzo Brewer, 22, Lily Palmer, 23, Madison Schreckengost, 23, and Diamond Taylor, 25, are all charged with making False Statements during Purchase of Firearms and Straw Purchase of a Firearm.
CN 5:25CR435
· Terrance Bivens-Boyd, 19, is charged with Distribution of Cocaine, Trafficking in Firearms, Illegal Possession of a Machinegun, and making False Statements During Purchase of a Firearm.
· Elijah Hawkins, 28, is charged with Trafficking in Firearms.
· Ellis Bloodworth II, 25, is charged with making False Statements During Purchase of Firearm and Straw Purchase of Firearm.
CN 5:25CR436
· Anthony Maurice Mims, 32, is charged with being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm; previous convictions include burglary in 2012; and domestic violence in 2020.
CN 5:25CR440
· Davante Neal, 31, and Larry Vaughan, 67, are both charged with Distribution of Cocaine.
CN 5:25CR441
· Jaelyn Barnhart, 26, and Traci Howard, 26, are both charged with Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine.
CN 5:25CR442
· Devontae Simmons, 32, is charged with Distribution of Methamphetamine and Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime.
CN 5:25CR443
· Brandon Travis, 38, is charged with being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition; prior convictions for involuntary manslaughter in 2008; and robbery in 2022. He is also charged with Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime, Possession with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl, and Distribution of Methamphetamine.
CN 5:25CR448
· Antonio Guice, 42, and Wathen Milliner, 40, are both charged with Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine, and Troy Miller, 54, Guice, and Milliner are all charged with Distribution of Methamphetamine.
CN 5:25CR456
· Devant’tair Brown, 25, and Davone Smith, 33, are charged with Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Cocaine and Distribution of Cocaine.
CN 5:25CR458
· Dazzmond Lenoir-Pratt, 24, and Darren Tibbets, 31, are both charged with Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Heroin and Fentanyl and Distribution of Heroin and Fentanyl.
CN 5:25CR459
· Jermaine Baker, 42, is charged with Distribution of Cocaine.
CN 5:25CR460
· Teon Brown, 22, of Medina, and Jaylyn Blackmon, 20, are both charged with Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine and Distribution of Methamphetamine.
CN 5:25CR473
· Damon McKinney, 53, of Shaker Heights, is charged with Distribution of Fentanyl and Methamphetamine.
If convicted, the court will determine each defendant’s punishment after considering criteria specific to the case, such as each defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, their role in the offense, and the nature of the violation. The sentence will never exceed the statutory maximum, and in most situations, it will be less than that maximum.
