Robert Berman, Marijuana Trafficking, Ohio 2024

Four people have been charged in federal court with conspiracy to possess and distribute hundreds of pounds of marijuana, including marijuana vape cartridges.

The indictment names Robert Berman, 33, of North Hollywood, California; Todd Brown, Jr., 31, of Canton, Ohio; Dakota Walters, 27, of Lexington, Ohio; and Salim Womack, 25, of Toledo, Ohio.

Berman, Brown, Walters, and Womack are charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances and possession with intent to distribute controlled substances. Womack is also charged with possessing a firearm with an obliterated serial number.

According to court documents, Homeland Security Investigations agents observed Berman loading boxes from a truck to a unit at the Life Storage facility on West 130th Street in Cleveland on September 3, 2023.

Two men, later identified as Walters and Womack, then loaded several boxes they received from Berman into the bed of their pickup truck. A subsequent search of the truck revealed 18 boxes containing suspected marijuana vape cartridges. Womack also possessed a Ruger 9 mm pistol with an obliterated serial number, according to court documents.

Berman then met with a man driving a minivan, later identified as Brown. Brown and Berman made an exchange, and Brown drove away in the minivan while Berman drove off in a Budget rental box truck. Following a stop, investigators recovered approximately nine boxes of suspected marijuana plants from the minivan.

A search of the box truck resulted in the seizure of two bags of cash, totaling approximately $211,755. A search of the storage garage resulted in the seizure of approximately 19 boxes of suspected marijuana, according to court documents.

“Groups like this, who are allegedly trafficking vape cartridges containing the active ingredient in marijuana, clearly pose a threat to the health and safety of our community,” said U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman. “This case also involves lots of cash and a firearm – which we see all too often with drug traffickers.”

Robert Berman's charges: conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, and unknown at this time. The investigation is ongoing. The exact sentence or outcome of the case is not available at this time.

The Homeland Securities Investigations, with assistance from the Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Department, investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian Deckert is prosecuting the case.

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndoh/pr/four-people-indicted-conspiracy-involving-hundreds-pounds-marijuana-well-marijuana-vape