Accused Ohio Drug Trafficker Sentenced To 12 Years In Prison

NORTH OLMSTED, OH - Latierra Williams has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for selling drugs that caused an overdose death in North Olmsted.

“As the opioid epidemic continues, we remain committed to stopping these drug dealers who are poisoning our community,” said Prosecutor Michael O’Malley. “I commend the diligent work done on this case by the Sheriff’s Office, Lakewood Police and Cleveland Police Departments.”

According to O'Malley's office, in June 2017, Jessie Keener, 32, and Jennifer Baker, 38, rented a motel room in North Olmsted, near I-480. Forty-eight hours later, police received an anonymous phone call saying "Jessie" may be in the hotel, dead.

Police found Baker inside the room, with Keener's lifeless body. There were numerous signs of drug use in the room, according to O'Malley's office. Testing later confirmed the use of heroin, fentanyl, carfentanil and cocaine.

Baker told the Cuyahoga County Sheriff's investigators she had purchased the drugs from Williams. Police found phone records to back this claim, and Williams later confirmed the accusation in an interview with investigators.

A separate investigation into Williams was being conducted by Lakewood police at the same time, O'Malley's office said. Lakewood investigators were looking into a possible drug trafficker, known by her street name of "Queen."

Lakewood police linked "Queen's" cell phone number to the dealer that sold Baker drugs, and identified Williams as their suspect, prosecutors said.

On April 3, 2018, police searched Williams' Cleveland home on W. 35th Street. Inside, officers found crack cocaine, fentanyl, oxycodone, a gun and other drug paraphernalia. Williams was taken into custody and booked at the Lakewood Municipal Jail. She posted bond the same day but didn't show up for her arraignment on June 26, 2018.

Williams again appeared on law enforcement radars on August 25, 2018. Prosecutors said that's when she broke into a Cleveland home on Riverside Avenue, assaulted a man and demanded $400 as payment for a drug debt.

Three weeks after that break-in, Williams was apprehended by Cleveland police.

On Feb. 25, 2019, Williams pleaded guilty to attempted aggravated burglary and felonious assault. She was sentenced to three years in prison. Two days later, she pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter, trafficking with a juvenile, having weapons under disability, and possessing criminal tools. She was sentenced to 12 years in prison.