Two men have been convicted in what prosecutors described as a large-scale prison drug smuggling and money laundering operation involving several Ohio correctional institutions.
A Muskingum County jury convicted Norman V. Whiteside, 71, of Columbus, and Justin A. Alexander, 46, of Zanesville, following a two-week trial in Muskingum County Common Pleas Court.
Both men were convicted of a pattern of corrupt activity, drug trafficking, illegal drug delivery into a detention facility, and money laundering.
Alexander was also found guilty of trafficking in methamphetamine and cocaine, conspiracy to produce drugs, several charges of illegal conveyance, 40 counts of money laundering, and trafficking and possession of Schedule I synthetic substances known as Pinaca and Butinaca.
Prosecutors said Alexander orchestrated a statewide smuggling network from within prison. Investigators said that drugs were brought into correctional facilities using various techniques, including paper soaked in narcotics, drones, and hidden items. Evidence at trial revealed that drug-soaked paper, known in prison as “toon,” was sliced into little parts and sold to convicts.
The jury heard testimony that Alexander designed the operation to isolate participants from one another and limit liability if they were apprehended. Financial records and communications analysis connected several co-conspirators to the enterprise.
Authorities said that individuals outside of prison channeled the scheme’s revenues, with one conspirator accounting for more than $218,000 in cocaine proceeds. Investigators found hundreds of thousands of dollars in transactions related to the enterprise.
Whiteside was accused of utilizing an attorney control number associated with a Columbus law office to facilitate prison deliveries. Prosecutors showed evidence of payments to Whiteside, which were reportedly followed by shipments related to the smuggling enterprise.
Investigators from the Ohio State Fire Marshal’s Office, the Ohio State Highway Patrol, and the Ohio Attorney General’s Office helped analyze financial records, communications, and information linked to the case.
Prosecutors revealed that other co-defendants had previously entered guilty pleas or received convictions for similar felony counts.
Both Alexander and Whiteside have previous homicide convictions. Alexander is serving a 25-year sentence for earlier charges. Prosecutors stated that they will seek maximum consecutive sentences at a future sentencing session.
Sentencing dates have yet to be announced.
