"Drugs That Could Wipe Out A City Block" Get 2 Lorain Men Charged

LORAIN, OH — Opioid trafficking has gotten two Lorain County men charged in federal court, the Department of Justice announced Friday. The charges are part of a continuing effort to fight opioid use in the region.

“The drugs involved in these cases could have wiped out a city block,”U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman said. “We will continue to work together and seek prison sentences for those who sell the drugs that kill our friends and neighbors.”

Manuel Latorre, 26, of Lorain, faces a two-count indictment of possession with intent to sell carfentanil. Tony Carter, 28, of Elyria, is also being charged with possession with an intent to distribute a mixture of heroin and fentanyl. Carter was out on bond from Lorain County Court of Common Pleas when he was arrested, again, and charged with this new offense.

The FBI, DEA, Lorain Police and Lorain County Sheriff's offices have been working together to stem the spread of narcotics in Lorain County.

“These arrests and indictments make the citizens of Lorain County safer,” said Lorain Police Capt. Roger Watkins.

The coordinated effort between the various law enforcement agencies has produced several arrests this year, including:

• Octavious Smith was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for distributing heroin and cocaine.
• Jason Vasquez, Lorain, was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for trafficking heroin.
• Anetaeus Spencer, 33, of Lorain, was sentenced to 12 years in prison for selling heroin and crack cocaine.
• Siarres Noble, 29, of Elyria, was sentenced to prison for distributing heroin and fentanyl. Noble sold fentanyl that caused the death of an Elyria resident.
• Anthony Paul Montoy, 40, of Elyria and Fred Alston, 60, of Elyria were sentenced to 11 years and eight years in prison respectively. Both men were convicted for conspiracy to distribute kilograms of cocaine in Lorain County.

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