Terrance Rucker, Fentanyl Trafficking, Ohio 2024

A Summit County man has been sentenced to 23 years in prison for his role in a massive drug trafficking operation involving approximately 7,000 fentanyl pills and 10 pounds of methamphetamine.

Terrance Rucker, 43, of Akron, Ohio, was found guilty in April of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, attempted possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, attempted possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.

According to the original criminal complaint, underlying affidavit and evidence presented in court, in November 2023, postal inspectors intercepted a suspicious package mailed from Phoenix, Arizona, that was destined for a home in Summit County. The residence was found to be associated with Rucker’s co-defendant, David R. Collins, 44, of Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, who was known to law enforcement for having a history of drug violations.

Agents with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) obtained a warrant to search the package in question. In it, they found 10 plastic bags filled with an off-white crystalline material, later confirmed to be 10 pounds of methamphetamine. They also found a second vacuum-packed bag containing blue pills marked with “M” on one side and “30” on the other, which were confirmed to be 2.5 pounds of pressed fentanyl.

After the discovery of the narcotics in the package, agents searched the home that it was destined for and located Rucker with the package that once contained the narcotic substances, as well as a loaded revolver, three cellphones, a box cutter used to open the package, and anti-surveillance equipment.

Rucker was sentenced to 276 months (23 years) in prison by U.S. District Judge Bridget Meehan Brennan. He was also ordered to serve five years of supervised release after imprisonment. His co-defendants, David R. Collins and Javay Cox, were previously sentenced to 36 months and 70 months in prison, respectively, and ordered to serve three years of supervised release each.

The investigation was conducted by the USPIS, DEA, HSI, and the Summit County Drug Unit, with assistance from the Ohio Narcotics Intelligence Center. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Segev Phillips and Stephanie Wojtasik.

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