Massive Drug Ring Indictments Name 40 Ohioans

MANSFIELD, OH — More than 40 people were indicted this week in a sweeping round-up of two accused drug rings. The groups are accused of selling heroin, fentanyl, crack cocaine, oxycodone, methamphetamine, and marijuana.

“These are significant arrests of drug dealers who have been trafficking and dealing dangerous and deadly drugs to our citizens here in Richland County,” said Richland County Sheriff Steve Sheldon. “Again, I can’t say enough about how well federal, state and local law enforcement agencies work so well to together here in Richland County to accomplish great things.”

According to the indictment, one of the drug rings would obtain heroin, fentanyl, oxycodone, and marijuana from suppliers in Detroit and then sell the narcotics in Mansfield. The drug sales started in January 2016 and continued through 2019, the Department of Justice said.

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Law enforcement seized 14 guns during its investigation and wants those weapons forfeited.

The second drug ring — referred to as the Westberry organization, by law enforcement — started in 2015, the indictment said, and the accused conspirators worked together to obtain large amounts of heroin, crack cocaine, cocaine, and methamphetamine, all to be sold in the Mansfield area.

"This multi-agency Title III investigation provided a glimpse into the dangerous underworld members of the Westberry organization have created for the Mansfield and the wider Richland County communities," said DEA Special Agent in Charge Timothy Plancon. "Today's arrests signal an important step in our continuing fight to protect our neighborhoods from violent drug traffickers."

The Department of Justice said the accused Westberry drug ring operated drug houses on Rembrandt Street, Helen Avenue, Dunbilt Court, Bowman Street, and W. 3rd Street in Mansfield; and Eckstein Road in Crestline.

In addition to the 43 people named in the two indictments, another 36 people were charged with drug crimes in the Richland County Court of Common Pleas.

“These two groups sold a wide array of dangerous drugs in and around Mansfield, including fentanyl, heroin, cocaine and methamphetamine,” U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman said. “These cases are a great example of law enforcement working together to arrest dangerous people and help make Mansfield a safer community.”