Brian L, Fentanyl Peddling, Ohio 2024

AKRON, OH – Two Akron men are facing a combined 25 years in federal prison after being convicted of peddling fentanyl, the synthetic opioid fueling the nation’s overdose crisis. The sentences, handed down this week, represent a small victory in a war against dealers profiting from addiction and death, according to federal prosecutors.

Brian L. Williams, 54, received the harsher sentence: 15 years. U.S. District Judge John Adams delivered the blow in federal court. Terrance L. Ford, 50, will spend the next 10 years of his life behind bars, also sentenced by Judge Adams. Both men were convicted following a lengthy investigation that unearthed a significant fentanyl operation right here in Akron.

“Drug dealers such as these are responsible for the wave of death that has plagued our state over the past few years,” stated Acting U.S. Attorney David A. Sierleja. “Aggressive enforcement, combined with education, prevention and treatment, are all key parts to our comprehensive strategy to combating this epidemic.” Sierleja’s office has made fentanyl trafficking a top priority, mirroring a national push to stem the flow of the deadly drug.

The case dates back to July 27, 2016, when detectives from the Akron Police Department’s Narcotics Unit, working alongside agents from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), executed a search warrant at the home shared by Williams and Ford. What they found was damning: over 100 grams of a substance confirmed to contain fentanyl, along with multiple fentanyl patches – enough to kill countless users.

Court documents reveal the sheer volume of fentanyl seized indicated a large-scale operation, not a casual exchange. While the specific amount of money made by Williams and Ford remains undisclosed, authorities believe they were actively distributing the drug to other dealers and directly to users. The 100+ grams recovered is a substantial amount for a local operation, suggesting a well-established network.

Assistant United States Attorney Aaron P. Howell successfully prosecuted the case, building it on the foundation laid by the meticulous work of the Akron Police Department and the DEA. While these convictions won’t bring back those lost to the opioid crisis, they send a clear message: those who profit from death will face the full force of the law. This case serves as a stark reminder of the pervasive danger fentanyl poses to communities across the nation, and the ongoing struggle to curb its deadly spread.