AKRON, OH – Alonzo M. Strickland, 52, is trading his Akron residence for a federal prison cell after a damning indictment and guilty plea landed him a decade behind bars. U.S. District Judge John R. Adams handed down the 120-month sentence on July 31, 2025, for a cocktail of drug and weapons charges that paint a picture of a brazen operator.
Strickland pleaded guilty in April to one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine, maintaining a drug premise, being a felon in possession of a firearm, and possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking offenses. This isn’t Strickland’s first brush with the law; court records reveal a prior drug trafficking conviction from 2006, clearly demonstrating a pattern of criminal behavior. The February indictment detailed evidence gathered during a thorough investigation.
The bust went down on January 29, 2025, when federal agents executed a search warrant at Strickland’s Akron home. What they found wasn’t a simple stash – it was a full-blown operation. Authorities seized over two pounds (922.99 grams) of cocaine, meticulously measured out using digital scales, indicating a clear intent to distribute. But the drugs weren’t the only illegal items found within the walls.
Eight loaded firearms, strategically hidden throughout the residence, were also recovered, alongside a substantial amount of ammunition. The arsenal included a Savage Axis .223 caliber rifle, a DPMS A-15 .223 caliber rifle, an Anderson Manufacturing AM-15 .556 caliber rifle, a Kimber 1911 .45 caliber pistol, a Kel-Tec P50 .57 caliber pistol, a Ruger P90DC .45 caliber pistol, a SCCY CPX-2 9mm pistol, and a Kimber K65 .357 caliber pistol. The sheer volume and variety of weaponry suggest Strickland wasn’t afraid to protect his illicit enterprise.
The FBI Akron Field Office spearheaded the investigation, meticulously building a case against Strickland. Assistant U.S. Attorney Toni Beth Schnellinger Feisthamel, of the Northern District of Ohio, skillfully prosecuted the case, securing the conviction and lengthy sentence. The message is clear: federal authorities are serious about cracking down on drug trafficking and the associated illegal firearms trade.
Following his prison term, Strickland will face an additional five years of supervised release. While the streets of Akron may be a little safer with him off them, this case serves as a stark reminder that the drug trade continues to fuel violence and criminal activity, and those involved will face the full weight of the law.
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Key Facts
- State: Ohio
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Violent Crime|Weapons|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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