Accused Fentanyl, Heroin Ring Indicted In Cleveland

CLEVELAND — Twenty people have been accused of taking part in a drug ring that brought heroin, fentanyl and fentanyl analogues into Cleveland, the Department of Justice announced on Thursday.

“This group is accused of selling deadly drugs, illegally carrying firearms, laundering their drug profits and contributing to this scourge that has killed thousands of Ohioans,” U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman said.

All 20 people have been indicted on one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute heroin, fentanyl and fentanyl analogues. Two members of the group have also been charged for distributing narcotics that resulted in serious bodily harm. Several members of the group have also been indicted for firearms-related charges.

Heroin, Fentanyl And More

According to the DOJ’s indictment, Alquin Wells, 37, and Ronelle Davis, 28, would obtain ounces of heroin and fentanyl and then sell the drugs to dealers and customers in Cleveland. The narcotics would then be sold to other dealers who would move the heroin and fentanyl throughout the city, the indictment said. The Department of Justice believes the accused drug ring was active between September 2017 and April 2019.

Wells and Davis are accused of using a home in Sheffield Lake to store the drugs, process the heroin and fentanyl and store the profits of their drug sales, the indictment said.

The indictment includes details on several occasions when Wells met customers in the parking lots of fast food restaurants or other stores to make person-to-person drug transactions, the Department of Justice said.

Wells was later shot three times during a suspected home invasion on November 10, 2017. Two men took Well’s gold Range Rover. The vehicle was later found burned on E. 32nd Street in Cleveland, the indictment said.

Bobbi Boylan, 34, and Lisa Goforth, 27, are accused of selling a mixture of heroin, fentanyl, carfentanil, and acetylfentanyl to a person identified only as T.M. in the indictment. The concoction caused T.M. to overdose and suffer serious bodily harm, the indictment said.

Prosecutors are seeking to seize six firearms and more than $44,000 seized as part of the investigation.

Named in the 27-count indictment are: Alquin Wells, 37, of Sheffield Lake; Ronelle Davis, 28, of Sheffield Lake; Malcolm Collins, 46; Travon Gales, 24, of Maple Heights; Ronnie Edgell, 54; Lashaun Moncrief, 36; Matthew Kucera, 46; Amber Moore, 35, of Parma; Gloria Hrdy, 29; Patricia Truman, 28; Molly Medlik, 24; Cody Ray Lee, 25; Lisa Goforth, 27; Shaunna Collier, 23; Virginia May, 37; Tamie Seitz, 49; John Dickson, 39, of Brunswick; Elizabeth Gallagher, 30; Bobbi Boylan, 34, and Imani Nicholson, 23, of Sheffield Village. All are from Cleveland unless otherwise noted.

“This group of individuals brought deadly drugs, firearms and danger to the public. Law enforcement’s collaborative efforts have thwarted their criminal behavior for a safer community,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Eric B. Smith.