17 People Accused Of Selling Fentanyl, Cocaine In Ohio

CLEVELAND — Seventeen people have been accused of bringing heroin, fentanyl, cocaine, crack cocaine and marijuana into Northeast Ohio, the Department of Justice announced. The narcotics were shipped from California, according to an indictment.

“At a time when a record number of our neighbors were dying from drug overdoses, this organization allegedly brought in large amounts of fentanyl, heroin and cocaine from California and sold it all over Northeast Ohio,” U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman said. “Some members of the conspiracy used rifles and other firearms to protect their products while others laundered tens of thousands of dollars in drug money.”

According to the indictment, Brandon Fletcher would get shipments of cocaine, heroin and marijuana from California and would then have the drugs moved through the Cleveland area. He would have Stephon Carter take the narcotics to drug dealers who would then sell the drugs to others, the indictment said. Carter would then collect profits from the drug sales, the indictment said.

Wayne Nix is accused of using his home in Warrensville Heights to store cocaine, fentanyl and other drugs. Kevin Philmon is also accused of using his home, on Van Aken Boulevard in Cleveland, to store powder and crack cocaine, the Department of Justice said.

Both Nix and Philmon are also charged with illegally having guns despite previous felony convictions.

Fletcher and Carter have also been accused of trying to launder money. Carter would meet with drug traffickers in California and give them thousands of dollars from the drug sales, the indictment said. He would also mail them money by hiding it inside musical instruments, the indictment noted.

The drug ring was in operation from August 2016 to November 2017, the indictment said.

"Illegal drug activity brings danger to our communities - it will not be tolerated," said FBI Special Agent in Charge Eric B. Smith. "Collaborative law enforcement efforts will continue to identify and disrupt drug trafficking organizations bringing violence to our streets."

Named in the 30-count indictment are: Brandon Fletcher, 35, of Warrensville Heights; Edgar Arturo Sanchez, 27, of Paramount, California; Stephon Carter, 34, of Cleveland; Donnie Palmer, 34, of Cleveland Heights; Kevin Philmon, 37, of Cleveland; Wayne Nix, 27, of Warrensville Heights; Robert Hawes, 46, of Bedford; Antonn Melton, 37, of Maple Heights; Kevin Williams, 34, of Euclid; Robert Pollard, 29, of Lithonia, Georgia; Freddie Murphy, 33, of Cleveland; Eric Armstrong, 58, of South Euclid; Jamill McDonald, 37, of Cleveland Heights; Steven Bouyer, 52, of Cleveland; Darcell Jackson, 32, of Euclid; Lonnie Jordan, 29, of Maple Heights, and DeWitt Chisholm, 38, of Warrensville Heights.