Accused Mahoning Valley Drug Ring Indicted

Eleven people have been indicted as part of a conspiracy to bring crack and powder cocaine into Youngstown, the Department of Justice announced this week.

“This network of individuals brought danger and violence to our communities through their trafficking of illegal drugs,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Eric B. Smith. “The FBI's well established law enforcement network, through long standing task force partnerships, have disrupted this illegal business and these defendants will be held accountable in court.”

The Department of Justice's 45-count indictment names: Robert Taylor, 58, of Youngstown; Raymond L. Rue, 39, of Liberty; Sadiya Az-Zahra Sow, aka Tina Robinson, 47, of Youngstown; Daniel M. Ortello, Jr., 30, of Niles; Terrell D. Green, 46, of Youngstown; Dewon R. Dawson, 35, of Youngstown; Darrell Dawson, 46, of Youngstown, and Bradley E. Weitzel, 61, of Butler, Pennsylvania. Other people face related firearms charges, the DOJ said.

From August 2017 to June 2018, the defendants are accused of bringing cocaine and crack into the Youngstown area. The indictment says that Taylor supplied the cocaine to four distributors who moved it around Youngstown. Two other people distributed the cocaine into Western Pennsylvania.

In a separate four-count indictment, Robin Rutledge, 48, of Youngstown, has been charged with intent to distribute cocaine and marijuana. And, in another 26-count indictment, Nicki L. Warfield, 42, of Warren, John Weaver, Jr., 62, of Warren, and the aforementioned Sadiya Az-Zahra Sow have been charged with conspiracy to distribute cocaine and crack cocaine.

Prosecutors are seeking the forfeiture of 22 guns, ammunition, and $258,324 seized during the investigation, court documents said.

“These defendants are accused of bringing large amounts of cocaine into the Mahoning Valley, which they sold for profit,” U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman said. “Taking this group off the street, along with the dozens of firearms associated with them, will make Youngstown, Warren and the entire region safer.”