Tarver Network Indicted: Drugs Flood Youngstown, Akron, Columbus

YOUNGSTOWN, OH – Seventeen individuals are facing federal charges in a sprawling drug conspiracy that pumped cocaine, heroin, and marijuana onto the streets of Youngstown, Akron, and Columbus. A 57-count indictment, unsealed today, details a sophisticated distribution network allegedly fueled by Terrance A. Tarver, who previously pleaded guilty and awaits sentencing in a related 2012 case.

According to the indictment, Tarver acted as a central hub, sourcing cocaine and marijuana from Columbus for distribution throughout Northeast Ohio. He also allegedly obtained heroin from Youngstown and Akron, further saturating those markets. Law enforcement officials describe the newly indicted individuals as the “second tier” of this criminal enterprise, responsible for taking the drugs from Tarver and pushing them to street-level users.

The list of defendants reads like a who’s who of local street operators: Benjamin J. Phillips, 36, of Cheraw, South Carolina; Ronald O. Clark, 47, of Youngstown, Ohio; Phillip D. Whitman, 37, of Youngstown, Ohio; Gerard B. Balbirsingh, 45, of Farrell, Pennsylvania; Edward Odem, III, 34, of Sharon, Pennsylvania; Darryl C. Pippin, 43, of Youngstown, Ohio; Abdul W. Muhammad, aka Wally, 41, of Youngstown, Ohio; Clifton T. Hudson, 40, of Youngstown, Ohio; Dwayne A. Oliver, 42, of Youngstown, Ohio; Antjuan A. Adkins, 37, of Akron, Ohio; Edthaniel L. Tarver, aka Lamont, 37, of Youngstown, Ohio; Anthony J. Walker, aka Prem, 36, of Tempe, Arizona; Dontae R. Lackey, 35, of Columbus, Ohio; Quay L. Watkins, 35, of Akron, Ohio; Brandon M. Williams, 20, of Youngstown, Ohio; and Patrick D. McWhorter, 21, of Youngstown, Ohio.

“This group represents another layer of people who sold drugs throughout the region,” stated Steven M. Dettelbach, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio. “They profited from other people’s addictions.” The indictment charges all 17 with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine, heroin, and marijuana (Count 1). Additionally, Benjamin J. Phillips, Abdul W. Muhammad, Brandon M. Williams, and Patrick D. McWhorter face charges for maintaining a premises for the purposes of distributing and using controlled substances (Counts 2-4), while all defendants are accused of using a telephone to facilitate drug trafficking (Counts 5-57).

The investigation, conducted under the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF), highlights the collaborative effort between the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Mahoning Valley Law Enforcement Task Force. Stephen D Anthony, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Cleveland office, emphasized, “As evidenced by this continuing investigation, the FBI will work with our law enforcement partners to target and eliminate the most significant threats to our communities.” Lt. Jeff Solic of the Mahoning Valley Law Enforcement Task Force added that such arrests are only possible through “tremendous cooperation between local, state and federal law enforcement.”

While the indictment marks a significant blow to this drug network, authorities caution that it’s merely a charge, and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. Sentencing, if convicted, will be determined by the court, taking into account individual criminal histories and the severity of their involvement. Prosecutors Nancy L. Kelley and Linda H. Barr are handling the case. The streets of Youngstown, Akron, and Columbus are a little quieter tonight, but the fight against the poison trade is far from over.