Ten people, including seven from the Akron-Canton area, have been indicted in federal court over a drug operation that brought large shipments of crystal methamphetamine to Ohio from California, according to a news release from the U.S. Department of Justice.
Those named in the 20-count indictment announced Thursday were: Hector Sabino Gonzales, 36, of Los Angeles; Carlos Elias, 33, and Lisa Elias, 36, both of Massillon; Jance Randolph, 33, of Canton; Michael Mack, 39, of Akron; Nikki Greenwood, 37, of New Philadelphia; Richard Stewart, 57, of Akron; Robert Willham, 45, of Medina; Steven Petit, 35, of Akron; and Wilmer Martinez, 25, of Painesville.
The Eliases also face charges of distribution of heroin. Stewart is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm.
According to a news release, Carlos Elias received large shipments of methamphetamine from Gonzales and others in California, usually via FedEx or UPS, from June 2015 through March 2016. Court documents detail shipments of methamphetamine to homes in Akron, New Philadelphia and Painesville, among others. The Eliases sent cash via FedEx, UPS and the U.S. mail to Gonzales to pay for the drugs, officials said.
The Eliases provided methamphetamine to Martinez, Mack, Greenwood, Willham, Stewart, Randolph and others for distribution, and Mack supplied methamphetamine to Petit for distribution, according to the news release.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Teresa Riley, following an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Stark County Safe Streets Task Force, which includes the police departments of Canton, Jackson Township, Alliance, Louisville and Ohio Adult Parole Authority.
If the suspects are convicted, sentences will be determined by the court after a review of the federal sentencing guidelines and factors unique to the case, including a defendant’s previous criminal record, role in the offense and the characteristics of the violation, according to the news release.