Canton Man, 73, Gets 15 Months for Justice Obstruction

CANTON, OH – Benjamin Suarez, 73, of Canton, Ohio, will spend the next 15 months behind bars after being convicted of obstruction of justice. The sentence, handed down by Judge Patricia A. Gaughan, is a direct response to Suarez’s attempts to impede a federal investigation, a brazen act that officials say threatened the integrity of the justice system.

The conviction followed a jury trial in June, where Suarez was found guilty on the single obstruction charge. While he managed to evade conviction on seven counts related to campaign finance laws, the obstruction charge proved damning. The specifics of what Suarez obstructed remain largely obscured, hinting at a deeper, potentially more damaging underlying investigation.

“The judge was correct that this defendant’s criminal conduct struck at critical part of our democracy, our justice system,” stated Steven M. Dettelbach, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio. “This sentence sends a simple message: no one is above the law.” Dettelbach’s statement underscores the seriousness with which federal prosecutors view attempts to interfere with ongoing investigations.

Stephen D. Anthony, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Cleveland Office, echoed this sentiment. “Benjamin Suarez has been held accountable for impeding the pursuit of justice,” Anthony said. “It is imperative that law enforcement be able to fulfill their sworn duties when investigating any possible violation of the law.” The FBI-Canton Resident Agency spearheaded the investigation that led to Suarez’s conviction, demonstrating the agency’s commitment to protecting the investigative process.

Beyond the prison sentence, Judge Gaughan ordered Suarez to serve two years of supervised release following his incarceration and levied a $15,000 fine. This financial penalty adds another layer of accountability for Suarez’s actions. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Carole S. Rendon, Rebecca Lutzko, and Matthew Cronin, who meticulously built the case against the Canton resident.

While the initial charges involved campaign finance, it’s the obstruction of justice conviction that landed Suarez in prison. This case serves as a stark warning: attempts to derail federal investigations, regardless of the underlying allegations, will be met with swift and severe consequences. The Grimy Times will continue to follow any further developments stemming from the original investigation that led to Suarez’s downfall.”