AKRON, OH – Another cog in Summit County’s poison machine is off the streets. Ernest Shropshire, 38, of Akron, Ohio, was slammed with a 121-month (10-year) federal prison sentence yesterday, after admitting his role as a key supplier of methamphetamine and fentanyl. U.S. District Judge John R. Adams handed down the sentence following Shropshire’s guilty plea in January.
Shropshire wasn’t a street-level dealer; he was the source. Court documents reveal that between April 1 and August 28, 2023, Shropshire flooded the area with deadly drugs, funneling meth and fentanyl to Calvin Roberts, 42, of Akron. Shropshire’s distribution method was as callous as it was simple: he’d stash the drugs in a garbage can in his backyard and text Roberts – and other buyers – the location. It was a brazen operation, relying on a disturbing level of trust and a complete disregard for human life.
Roberts, in turn, wasn’t working alone. He passed the poison on to his neighbor, Andrew Corbin, 36, also of Akron. The two men transformed their homes into miniature drug markets, consistently pushing Shropshire’s product to customers throughout Summit County. This wasn’t just a few sales; it was a sustained, organized effort to profit from addiction. A network of co-conspirators further expanded the reach of the deadly supply.
Shropshire pleaded guilty to three serious federal charges: Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine and Fentanyl, Distribution of Methamphetamine and Fentanyl, and Distribution of Fentanyl. The sentence isn’t just about punishment, it’s about disruption. Authorities are clearly aiming to dismantle the entire network responsible for saturating the region with these dangerous substances. Following Shropshire’s sentencing, he will also serve five years of supervised release.
This wasn’t an isolated incident. Roberts, Corbin, and Phillip August, 57, of Akron, have already been sentenced after pleading guilty to their roles in the conspiracy. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) spearheaded the investigation, demonstrating a focused effort to combat drug trafficking in the area. Assistant United States Attorney Joseph P. Dangelo, for the Northern District of Ohio, prosecuted the case, driving the legal effort to bring these criminals to justice.
While Shropshire’s decade behind bars is a victory, it’s a grim reminder that the fight against fentanyl and methamphetamine is far from over. The demand remains high, and other suppliers are undoubtedly waiting to fill the void. Grimy Times will continue to track these cases and expose the individuals profiting from the misery of others.
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Key Facts
- State: Ohio
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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