Elyria, federal partnership in opioid epidemic fight results in arrests | Crime

Multiple people are in federal custody as a result of a partnership between Elyria police and U.S. Department of Justice North District of Ohio to combat the opioid epidemic.

The partnership, which began in July 2018, was a pilot program called Operation Synthetic Opioid Surge (S.O.S.), according to an Elyria police news release.

The purpose was to reduce the supply of synthetic opioids in high-impact areas and to identify wholesale distribution networks.

As a result of the program, the Elyria Police Department Narcotics Unit arrested several people for either possessing or trafficking fentanyl, the release said.

In addition to drug charges, multiple people also face charges for firearm possession.

• Tony O. Carter, 37, of Elyria, was indicted Jan. 4, 2018, on 12 counts of distributing cocaine and heroin/fentanyl mixes and conspiracy.

Carter pleaded guilty Sept. 26 and was sentenced Feb. 8 to 151 months in prison.

• Pierre C. Alston, 38, Elyria, was indicted Feb. 6 on six counts of distribution of crack and heroin/fentanyl mixes.

Alston is in the Community Corrections Association – Youngstown while awaiting trial.

• Kenneth B. Ward Jr., 45, Elyria, was indicted Sept. 24 on nine counts of distributing and possession with intent to distribute crack and heroin/fentanyl.

Ward pleaded guilty Nov. 1 and was sentenced Feb. 12 to 100 months behind bars.

• Brandon L. Williams, 24, Elyria, was indicted Oct. 11 on six counts of distribution of and possession with intent to distribute crack and heroin/fentanyl.

Williams pleaded guilty April 5, and he is in custody at the Community Corrections Association – Youngstown.

•Walter D. Brown Jr., 37, Elyria, indicted Sept. 10 on distributing heroin.

Brown is in the Community Corrections Association – Youngstown awaiting a resolution.

• Sean T. Byrne, 37, Columbia Station, was indicted Nov. 14 on six counts of distributing heroin/fentanyl.

Byrne is in the Community Corrections Association – Youngstown awaiting a resolution.

• Christopher B. Robinson Jr., 25, Elyria, was indicted July 10 on three counts of distributing heroin.

No others information was available.

• Doyal R. Cannon, 33, Elyria, was indicted Aug. 14 on two counts of distributing crack and heroin/fentanyl.

Cannon was indicted on a felon in possession of a firearm. He pleaded guilty March 13 and is awaiting sentencing while at the Community Corrections Association – Youngstown.

• Stefan W. Carnes, 25, Elyria, was indicted Jan. 29 on two counts of possession with intent to distribute heroin/fentanyl and a felon in possession of a firearm.

Carnes also was indicted with use of a firearm in connection with a drug trafficking offense.

• Dennis Smith Jr., 39, Elyria, was indicted July 10 on distributing fentanyl pleaded guilty Oct. 11.

Smith was sentenced April 2 to 150 months in prison.

• Dwayne L. Taylor, 33, Elyria, was indicted Aug. 29 on eight counts of distributing crack and heroin/fentanyl and felon in possession of a firearm.

Taylor, who pleaded guilty Jan. 29, is awaiting sentencing while he’s lodges at the Community Corrections Association – Youngstown.

• Dwon A. Williams, 38, Elyria, was indicted Oct. 11 on two counts of distributing crack cocaine.

Williams, who is locked up in Community Corrections Association – Youngstown, is awaiting trial.

• Kayla M. Ellis, 25, Elyria, was indicted Nov. 14 on six counts of distributing heroin/fentanyl.

Ellis is in federal custody while awaiting resolution of her case.

• Terrell T. Fennell, 25, Elyria, was indicted March 6 on two counts of distributing crack and heroin and possession of a firearm and use of a firearm in connection with a drug trafficking offense.

• David P. Jones, 50, Elyria, was indicted Feb. 6 on four counts distributing heroin/fentanyl and meth, possession of a firearm and use of a firearm in connection with a drug trafficking offense.

Jones is in federal custody awaiting trial.

• Brian D. King, 29, Elyria, was indicted Oct. 11 on three counts of distributing crack.

King is in federal custody and awaiting trial.

• Leon P. Robinson III, 30, Elyria, was indicted Oct. 11 on three counts of distributing heroin/fentanyl.

Robinson pleaded guilty Nov. 26 and was sentenced March 14 to 16 months in prison.

• Nick R. Latorre, 23, Lorain, was indicted Oct. 11on three counts of distributing heroin/fentanyl.

Latorre is in the Mansfield Correctional Institution on a parole violation-related matter.

• Johnny G. Mack III, 39, of Elyria, was indicted Feb. 6 on carjacking.

Mack pleaded guilty April 9. He’s in federal custody and awaiting sentencing.

• Matthew Makuch, 34, Elyria, was indicted Dec. 19 on five counts of distributing heroin/fentanyl.

Makuch is in federal custody awaiting trial.

• Abdul A. Mallory Jr., 24, Elyria, was indicted Dec. 19 on five counts of distributing crack and heroin/fentanyl.

Mallory is in federal custody awaiting trial.

• Jovan Montgomery, 35, Elyria, was indicted Dec. 19 on four counts of distributing heroin/fentanyl.

Montgomery is in federal custody awaiting trial.

• Joshua M. Novak, 27, Elyria, was indicted March 27 on five counts of distributing crack and heroin/fentanyl and felon in possession of firearm charge.

Novak is in federal custody awaiting trial.

• Dameon L. Robertson, 44, Lorain, was indicted Oct. 11 on three counts of distributing crack and heroin/fentanyl and a single count of possession of a firearm.

Robertson pleaded guilty March 13 and is awaiting sentencing.

• Charles A. Urban, 35, Elyria, was indicted Dec. 19 on eight counts of distributing crack, heroin, fentanyl and meth.

Urban is in federal custody awaiting trial.

• Anthony W. Blue, 36, Cleveland, was indicted Oct. 11 on two counts of distribution of controlled substances: crack and a heroin/fentanyl mix.

Blue pleaded guilty Feb. 22 and is in custody at Community Corrections Association – Youngstown awaiting sentencing.