Damien Roger Marcel Stafford, Fentanyl Trafficking, Ohio 2023

A group of 13 individuals, led by Damien Roger Marcel Stafford, 41, of Akron, Ohio, have been charged with operating a large-scale fentanyl trafficking conspiracy in Akron.

According to a superseding indictment unsealed in federal court, the defendants sought to distribute approximately 16 kilograms of fentanyl, nearly 10 kilograms of methamphetamine, and other controlled substances in the Akron area.

Law enforcement officials arrested nine members of the conspiracy this morning, after the superseding indictment was unsealed in federal court. Three members of the conspiracy were arrested in September 2021, and one member was arrested in a separate case.

The indictment alleges that Damien Stafford purchased fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine from drug suppliers, including Alexander Prieto, 41, of Cleveland, Ohio. Stafford is accused of using other defendants to transport the drugs to be stored at multiple residences in the Akron area.

As part of the conspiracy, the indictment alleges that the defendants used these residences in Akron as locations to store and distribute their controlled substances. In addition, conspiracy members are accused of using cell phones to communicate and drug “testers” to evaluate the strength and quality of a controlled substance intended for sale.

On September 23, 2021, law enforcement officers with the FBI, ATF, Greater Akron Safe Streets Task Force, and Akron Police Department executed search warrants at multiple residences connected to the drug trafficking conspiracy. At one residence, officers encountered Damien Stafford wearing latex gloves and a mask. Officers detained Stafford, entered a bathroom, and found multiple bags of various sizes on the floor and inside the toilet. According to court documents, the bags contained powdery white and off-white substances that were later tested and confirmed to contain fentanyl.

Defendants Damien Stafford, Ricky Lynn Vaughn, 60, of Akron, Ohio, and Rausheeda L. Hyshaw, 41, of Akron, Ohio, were also arrested during the execution of the warrants.

Each defendant is charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl, methamphetamine, valeryl fentanyl, and cocaine. In addition, various members of the conspiracy are also charged with possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, felon in possession of a firearm, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense, maintaining a drug premises, and using a communication facility to facilitate a drug offense.

In total, law enforcement officials seized approximately 16.6 kilograms of fentanyl, 9.9 kilograms of methamphetamine, one kilogram of valeryl fentanyl, 400 grams of cocaine, one semiautomatic rifle, and four semiautomatic pistols during the execution of the search warrants.

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