The United States Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio, Steven M. Dettelbach, announced the indictment of five individuals, including owners of a head shop chain, for conspiracy to distribute synthetic cannabinoids. These drugs, marketed under names like spice and K2, are illegal alternatives to THC.
Indicted are Sean Lightner, Sherry Lightner (both 38 from Grafton), Dale Drummond (39 from Cleveland), Mark Picard (32 from Whittier, Calif.), and Nathan Albright (28 from Glendale, Ariz.).
“These defendants sold a product designed to mimic an illegal drug,” Dettelbach said. “No matter what it was labeled or whatever clever name it was given, it was illegal.” Synthetic cannabinoids are chemically unrelated but functionally similar to THC and may contain controlled substances or analogues with psychoactive effects when smoked or ingested.
The Lightners operated a chain of head shops known as Twilight Boutique, selling synthetic cannabinoids along with drug paraphernalia. They franchised one store to Drummond and expanded their business to multiple locations in Ohio. The indictment also alleges that the Lightners provided false information about the legality of their products.
Albright sold synthetic cannabinoids through his company, Desert Distribution, LLC, while Albright and Picard sold them through Royal Dutch, LLC. Prosecutors seek to forfeit over $225,000 in cash, vehicles, and property in Grafton as part of the case.
This investigation involved multiple law enforcement agencies and the defendants face sentences determined by the court, considering the Federal Sentencing Guidelines after examining their prior criminal records, roles in the offense, and unique characteristics of the violation.
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Key Facts
- State: Ohio
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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