Suspected Fentanyl Dealer Indicted In Cleveland: DOJ

CLEVELAND, OH — Law enforcement say a suspected fentanyl trafficker in Cleveland has been arrested and indicted for trafficking the drug, while having a firearm.

Tyler Hall, 28, was indicted on two counts of possession with intent to distribute narcotics and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. Hall reportedly had cocaine and fentanyl in his possession when he was arrested, the Department of Justice said.

“This defendant was identified by law enforcement as a serious threat who has caused pain and destruction in and around his neighborhood,” U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman said. “Police officers, federal agents and prosecutors will continue to work together to prosecute those who illegally have firearms and deal drugs.”

Hall had 1.46 grams of fentanyl, 22 grams of crack cocaine and a Walther 9 mm semiautomatic pistol, when police searched his home on July 3, court documents said. The Clevelander was a person-of-interest in three non-fatal opioid overdoses.

Two of the overdose victims had information that their supplier's name was Tyler and that he worked, resided and sold drugs in the area of W. 104th Street and Lorain Avenue, the Department of Justice said. Hall's home was at 10400 Lorain Avenue.

Law enforcement search Hall's home on July 3, and his business, an auto body shop, at W. 104th Street. He was detained and found to be carrying two cell phones, $1,152 in cash, and a set of keys to both his residence and his business, court documents said.

Inside Hall's home was a desk where drugs, it appeared, drugs were prepared and packaged for sale, the Department of Justice said. Law enforcement also found the fentanyl, crack cocaine, pistol and $6,000 in cash nearby, according to court documents.

“Through the swift and intense investigative efforts of the Cleveland Division of Police Opioid Overdose Investigations Group, the Cleveland DEA Heroin Response Group and Cleveland HIDTA, Hall was arrested before additional destruction to our community could occur," said DEA Special Agent in Charge Timothy Plancon. "The DEA and our partners will continue to make drug trafficking and any associated violence a priority. Drug traffickers in the Cleveland area take heed, the DEA and our partners will continue to hold those who deliver causing overdose accountable.”

Hall was previously convicted for aggravated robbery, robbery, intimidation of a crime victim or witness, and multiple drug trafficking and possession offenses, court document said. Those convictions barred him from having a firearm.

(For more news like this, find your local Patch here. If you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app; download the free Patch Android app here. And like Patch on Facebook!)

Photo from Shutterstock