GRIMY TIMES EXCLUSIVE: Grammy-nominated musician and Hudson resident Stuart Pflaum, also known by his stage name DJ Xplosive, was handed a 70-month prison sentence for his role in a massive drug money laundering scheme.
Pflaum, 35, was convicted of laundering approximately $1.5 million in profits from the trafficking of marijuana, a conspiracy that spanned two years and involved multiple participants, according to Acting U.S. Attorney David A. Sierleja.
The operation was masterminded by James Sorgi, who grew marijuana in California and transported it to Cleveland. Sorgi, along with Pflaum and Robert Serina, directed others to receive large shipments of cannabis in Ohio and sell it, court documents revealed. They then coordinated the collection of drug proceeds and their conversion into money orders sent to California.
Between June 2013 and February 2015, Sorgi was sentenced to 80 months for his leadership role, while Serina’s case is still pending. The Northern Ohio Law Enforcement Task Force (NOLETF) and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service conducted the investigation that led to these convictions.
Pflaum, who also worked as a music producer and was nominated for a Grammy Award, was caught in a complex web of organized crime. This case highlights the intricate nature of drug trafficking and money laundering operations, and the NOLETF’s dedication to dismantling such networks.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Margaret Sweeney and Michelle Baeppler are leading the prosecution of this high-profile case. The NOLETF is a formidable alliance, including investigators from various federal agencies, local police departments, and county sheriffs’ offices, all working together to combat drug trafficking across Ohio.
Related Federal Cases
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- Parker Man Pleads Guilty to Money Laundering in Stock Scam · Colorado
- Plea Deal for Mullens Duo in $228K Marijuana Money Laundering Scheme · Ohio
- Polanco, Lamar & Robinson: Drug Money Heist Lands Trio in Prison · Georgia
- Toledo Heroin Network Crumbles: 26 Indicted in Drug Ring · Illinois
Key Facts
- State: Ohio
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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