Demarea L. Stafford, Drug Trafficking and Firearms Offenses, Ohio 2022

Lorain Man Sentenced to 11.5 Years in Prison for Drug Trafficking and Firearms Offenses in Ohio.

Demarea L. Stafford, 40, of Lorain, Ohio, was sentenced to 138 months, or eleven and a half years, in prison on April 21, 2022, by Judge John R. Adams for possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, felon in possession of a firearm, distribution of crack cocaine and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, phenyl fentanyl, alprazolam, methamphetamine, oxymorphone, cocaine and heroin.

The investigation began on October 15, 2020, when Narcotics Detectives with the Lorain Police Department conducted a controlled purchase of crack cocaine from Stafford after receiving information concerning his involvement in suspected drug trafficking activity. Later, on December 12, 2020, while the investigation was ongoing, Lorain Police officers responded to an apartment building for reports of a domestic argument with multiple shots fired.

Stafford is prohibited from possessing a firearm due to previous convictions of drug trafficking, improper discharge of a firearm, and felonious assault in the Lorain and Cuyahoga County Courts of Common Pleas.

This case was investigated by the Lorain Police Department and the FBI. This case is part of Operation Synthetic Opioid Surge (S.O.S.), which seeks to reduce the supply of deadly synthetic opioids and to identify wholesale distribution networks and international and domestic suppliers in Lorain County.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert J. Kolansky.

Acting U.S. Attorney Michelle M. Baeppler stated, “This sentence should send a message to felons in Lorain County and everywhere in the Northern District of Ohio.” If you possess a firearm or engage in drug trafficking or similar criminal activity, you will soon find yourself facing significant time in federal prison.”

Cleveland FBI Special Agent in Charge Eric B. Smith added, “Criminal acts such as these endanger countless people with potential deadly consequences.” The FBI is firmly committed to working with our police partners to disrupt drug trafficking networks and individual offenders that plague our communities.

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