Six Akron men are behind bars after a federal crackdown on a sprawling methamphetamine ring that flooded the city with over 200 pounds of the potent drug hauled from Los Angeles. The operation, which ran for months, turned Akron streets into a toxic marketplace as the crew made repeated cross-country trips to stock their supply.
Ugunda Sanders, 46, was convicted at trial and sentenced to more than 15 years in federal prison. Rashaad M. Thomas, 41, received a sentence of more than 14 years. Michael E. Davis, 49, was hit with more than 10 years. James E. Sanders, 52, was sentenced to exactly 10 years. Christopher J. Proctor, 51, got over three years, while Reuben Simmons, 32, was sentenced to less than three years.
All five except Sanders pleaded guilty to charges tied to meth distribution. Court records show members of the conspiracy regularly traveled between Cleveland and Los Angeles, using vehicles and covert methods to transport bulk quantities of methamphetamine before selling it across Akron neighborhoods. The drug’s purity and low cost made it especially dangerous, fueling addiction and violence.
“Methamphetamine is a growing threat in Northern Ohio,” U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman said. “We are now seeing meth that is cheaper and more pure than versions of the drug seen in the past. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to stem the flow of this dangerous narcotic into our community and prosecute those who profit from it.”
The takedown was the result of a massive coordinated effort by the Akron/Summit County HIDTA Initiative, involving the Drug Enforcement Administration, Akron Police Department, Ohio State Highway Patrol, Summit County Sheriff’s Office, Summit County Drug Unit, Springfield Township Police Department, Copley Township Police Department, New Franklin Township Police Department, Stow Police Department, Barberton Police Department, Tallmadge Police Department, University of Akron Police Department, Reminderville Police Department, Silver Lake Police Department, Cuyahoga Falls Police Department, and the Summit County Prosecutor’s Office.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Payum Doroodian. Federal authorities say the sentences send a clear message: those who exploit communities with deadly drugs will face relentless pursuit and severe punishment under federal law.
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Key Facts
- State: Ohio
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: Official Source ↗
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