Three sentenced for crack cocaine charges
January 05, 2005
By CHRISTINE L. PRATT
Staff Writer

WOOSTER - Sending a message of intolerance from the bench, Wayne County Common Pleas Judge Robert J. Brown on Tuesday handed down prison sentences for three people charged with offenses relating to the use and sale of crack cocaine.

Melissa S. (McIntire) Ensehusih, 25, of 6499 Old Shreve Road, Shreve, pleaded guilty to possession of crack cocaine and possession of drug paraphernalia, stemming from a Sept. 3 incident, and permitting drug abuse, stemming from an Aug. 12 incident.

Krystal L. Wohlford, 20, of 454 W. North St.1586 Beall Ave., The three, all represented by Clarke Owens, were sentenced by Brown to 11 month in prison.

“This offense involved the sale of crack cocaine,” Brown said of Windham’s charge, adding, “In the past year, we’ve seen a dramatic rise in the sale of crack cocaine in this community, and it’s the position of the court that the community’s tired of drugs and tired of crack and tired of people who sell it.”

Brown continued to express his outrage when addressing Wohlford: “Everyone’s pretty tired of crack cocaine in this community. It’s reaching an epidemic proportion, and you are part of the problem, and I think you were a little more active in the sale than the tape (of the incident) discloses.”

Owens claimed Wohlford was merely present while her boyfriend sold the drugs to an undercover officer.

Similarly, Brown told Ensehusih that despite her attempts to rehabilitate herself, she is contributing to a larger problem. While her convictions don’t involve trafficking, Brown said of Ensehusih’s offenses, “There is a serious problem in this community with crack cocaine - people selling it, people using it, and you are a big part of the problem.”

Of Brown’s sentences, Medway Drug Enforcement Agency director Chuck DeFelice said, “We agree totally.”

“Crack is our biggest problem in Wooster, and now we’re starting to see heroin too,” DeFelice added. “It’s something we haven’t seen for many years, and all of a sudden it’s surfaced, and I expect (heroin) to be a problem in the near future.”

“It’s going to take (tough prison) sentences like this to get the message across that it’s not going to be tolerated,” DeFelice said.

Reporter Christine L. Pratt can be reached at (330) 287-1643 or e-mail cpratt@the-daily-record.com

Palmer gets prison term for drug charges
January 19, 2005
By CHRISTINE L. PRATT
Staff Writer

WOOSTER - A major player in Wayne County’s drug scene was sentenced Tuesday to six years in prison.

Ahmed Palmer, 20, of 1722 Sheffield Drive, Akron, pleaded guilty to two counts of trafficking in crack cocaine, one count of trafficking in cocaine, three counts of possession of cocaine and one count of possession of ecstasy. The charges stem from incidents on June 5 and Sept. 9, 2003, and June 5 and Oct. 20, 2004.

Previously, Wayne County Common Pleas Judge Mark K. Wiest ruled Wooster Police officers acted lawfully during an April 10 traffic stop during which drugs were found in Palmer’s possession.

Anticipating an appeal of the decision, Palmer also pleaded no contest to one count each of possession of crack cocaine, possession of cocaine and possession of ecstasy.

In exchange for Palmer’s guilty plea, Wayne County Assistant Prosecutor Jocelyn Stefancin agreed to dismiss related misdemeanor charges of obstructing official business and resisting arrest. She also agreed to a sentencing recommendation of six years in prison.

Palmer had faced a maximum sentence of 44 years in prison.

“It’s clear by the number of cases that Ahmed Palmer was an active dealer in Wayne County,” Stefancin said. “He’s a young man who’d never been to prison before, and under the sentencing guidelines, a six-year prison term was a good resolution.”

Palmer forfeited more than $9,950 found in his possession. The money, to be used for drug education and enforcement, will be shared by the Wooster Police Department and the Medway Drug Enforcement Agency.

His guilty plea came on the day Palmer was to be tried on one of the charges. At the hearing, defense attorney Steven LoDico told Wiest that at the time of his arrests Palmer “had problems and needed help.”

“He was a young man causing a lot of grief in this community,” LoDico said of Palmer’s constant involvement with law enforcement since 2003.

Medway Director Charles DeFelice said he was satisfied with the six-year prison sentence, at the conclusion of which Palmer will be subject to five years of post-release control.

“With the number of charges, it shows the level of drug activity he was responsible for in the county,” DeFelice said. “With him serving six years in prison and another five years on parole, it will take care of some of the problem.

“He was one of the major players in Wayne County,” DeFelice said. “This is a win for law enforcement.”

Reporter Christine L. Pratt can be reached at (330) 287-1643 or e-mail cpratt@the-daily-record.com. 

Melrose drug bust results in felony charges
January 22, 2005
By CHRISTINE L. PRATT
Staff Writer

WOOSTER - Charges have been filed against two people found to be in possession of crack cocaine during a Thursday morning search of their home.

Elizabeth J. Grabill, 22, and Larry E. Petty, 39, both of 2222 Melrose Drive, Apt. 130, Wooster, are charged in Wayne County Municipal Court with possession of drugs, a third-degree felony.

They were arrested after officers from the Wooster Police Department and agents from the Medway Drug Enforcement Agency executed a no-knock search warrant at the apartment Thursday at 3 a.m., according to the police department.

The warrant, signed by Wayne County Common Pleas Judge Robert J. Brown, was issued after an investigation revealed possible drug activity at the residence, according to Lt. Steve Glick.

“The investigation began after both agencies received complaints from the public about suspicious activity at the apartment,” Glick said.

Officers seized about 9 1/2 grams of crack, valued at $1,900; 3 ounces of marijuana, valued at $720; drug paraphernalia; and $1,700 cash, according to Glick. While officers had reason to believe there might have been weapons, none were found, Medway Director Chuck DeFelice said.

Petty, also known as China, is a high-profile personality in Wooster drug trade, according to DeFelice.

He was one of more than 20 people arrested in a 2000 countywide drug sting. Petty, convicted of three counts of trafficking in crack cocaine, was sentenced to 17 months in prison as a result of the sting.

“We knew he was active,” DeFelice said of Petty. “He was out of the area for a while, had returned, and we were responding to citizens’ complaints of (drug) activity in that area. We received a lot of intelligence he was back and active (trafficking) again.

“He’s just one of the many we have to deal with. (Petty) definitely has connections to where his arrest is significant to the crack being trafficked in Wayne County,” DeFelice said.

If convicted, Petty and Grabill face sentences of five years in prison and fines of $10,000.

DeFelice said he expects other charges against Petty to be heard at the next meeting of a Wayne  County grand jury.

Reporter Christine L. Pratt can be reached at (330) 287-1643 or e-mail cpratt@the-daily-record.com.

Holmes budgets funds for Medway
January 25, 2005 
By ERIC JOHNSON
Staff Writer

MILLERSBURG - County commissioners voted 2-1 Monday to join a regional council of governments for the Medway Drug Enforcement Agency, allocate $6,000 a month from permissive sales taxes for its operations and establish a Medway Drug Enforcement Fund within the county’s budgetary system.

Freshman Commissioner Ray L. Feikert voted against all three measures.

“I know there were drug problems in 1985 at Hiland High School,” the 1985 Hiland graduate said, and with his son a sophomore at Hiland now, he said, “I’m sure there’s increased problems. ...

“However, I have some concerns,” Feikert said, about the proposal to join Medway and fund its Holmes County operations through local sales tax receipts.

The county was unable to provide the funding last summer, he said, and voters turned down a countywide 0.25-mill real estate tax levy for its funding on the Nov. 2 ballot by a margin of almost 1,300 votes, with 5,826 (56 percent) against the request and 4,562 (44 percent) for it.

The county budget’s year-end carryover has decreased by about $100,000 a year over the past three years, Feikert said, noting “There are departments (budgets) that will have to be flat-lined and some need to be cut.

“Some increases we have no control over,” he said, and the people who do control them “will have to answer to others.

“We, too, will need to answer,” Feikert said, noting the diversion of sales taxes that had been going into the county’s rotary sewer loan fund is “entirely” the commissioners’ responsibility.

“We are forgetting about savings for building improvements and ever-increasing technology,” where up-front costs cannot be met, he said. “Where are we going to find this (money) ... next year, five years down the road?”

He urged his fellow commissioners to “listen to the voice of the people,” who turned down last fall’s levy.

Commissioners Chairman David L. Hall said he strongly disagreed with Feikert, noting the revolving loan fund should be able to sustain itself with the $72,000 in tax money set aside over the past year.

He said the county has a strong record of grant funding, with hundreds of thousands of dollars for Walnut Creek sewer system improvements received last year in Appalachian Ohio and Issue 2 (infrastructure) grant funds.

“If we don’t take action (on Medway),” Hall said, “we are going to have major issues.

“Let’s try to tackle this - be aggressive,” he said. “If they don’t see Medway (in Holmes County), they’re going to come down here (and) start their meth labs.

“I feel $71,000 will go a long way,” Hall said, calling on the county to “prioritize (where) we have to ... and I feel a contract with Medway ... (is) a top priority.”

“If we become a drug-infested county,” Commissioner Joe D. Miller said, “all the infrastructure and buildings won’t do us any good.

“I feel these gentlemen will do us good,” he said of Sheriff Timothy Zimmerly, Millersburg Police Chief S. Thomas Vaughn and Medway Director Charles DeFelice.

“I love this county and I want the drugs out of here,” Miller said.

Feikert said he agreed the law enforcement agencies would do a good job; “however, how long can we continue (to fund Medway)?

“I don’t want to see us start,” he said, only to drop funding a few years down the road.

Founded in 1974 and operating in Wayne and Medina counties, Medway is one of the oldest drug task forces in Ohio.

It provides undercover personnel and high-tech surveillance equipment to law enforcement agencies which otherwise would not have the resources to investigate alleged drug activity.

Until 2004, Medway had provided informal assistance to Holmes County, investigating only drug activity with ties to Wayne County.

The Holmes County Sheriff’s Office has only one certified drug enforcement officer, detective Sgt. Roger Sprowl, and narcotics investigations are only part of his duties.

The police department and the sheriff’s office are not able to combine their budgets to pay for a Medway-type undercover operation, Vaughn said.

Reporter Eric Johnson can be reached at (330) 264-8873 or e-mail ejohnson@the-daily-record.com. 

Judge rules drug search was legal; guilty plea expected
February 5, 2005
By CHRISTINE L. PRATT
Staff Writer

WOOSTER - Officers did not break the law when they entered and searched a Wooster home Aug. 12, according to a Thursday ruling by Wayne County Common Pleas Court Judge Mark K. Wiest.

Ra Aku Ensehusih, 46, is charged with two counts of trafficking in drugs and one count of possession of drugs, the latter of which is based on evidence seized during the search.

The ruling followed a Jan. 19 hearing on a Ensehusih’s motion to suppress evidence and statements resulting from the search.

Officers from the Wooster Police Department and the Medway Drug Enforcement Agency began the search armed with a warrant that required them to knock and announce themselves before entering the residence.

However, officers testified they deviated from the knock-and-announce requirement after they encountered Duane Fields outside the house. Because of the commotion, the officers acted under the scope of the law in entering the residence without announcing themselves, according to Wiest.

“The police felt that their approach to the house had been compromised by having to remove Mr. Fields from the area by the door,” Wiest wrote.

“The police had information that drugs were being sold from this house by (Ensehusih) and he was a convicted drug trafficker,” according to Wiest’s ruling. “Under the circumstances, it would be reasonable for the police to believe that persons inside the house might have become alerted to their presence and would attempt to destroy evidence.”

Wiest also ruled Ensehusih’s statement to officers that crack cocaine found in the house’s kitchen belonged to him.

Ensehusih, formerly known as Laverne Jackson, and his wife, Melissa S. (McIntire) Ensehusih, 25, were arrested during the search of the West Larwill Street residence.

Wayne County Common Pleas Judge Robert J. Brown denied a similar motion to suppress in the criminal case against Melissa Ensehusih.

She pleaded guilty to possession of crack cocaine and possession of drug paraphernalia, stemming from a Sept. 3 incident, and permitting drug abuse, stemming from the Aug. 12 incident, and was sentenced to 11 months in prison.

Ensehusih is expected to plead guilty to one of the trafficking charges on March 1.

The other two charges will be dismissed by the state, which has “lost the cooperation of an essential witness who can establish the drugs were purchased from Mr. Ensehusih,” Wayne County Assistant Prosecutor Jocelyn Stefancin said.

Ensehusih faces a maximum sentence of 18 months in prison and a $5,000 fine for the trafficking charge.

His attorney, Andy Hyde, could not be reached for comment Friday.

Reporter Christine L. Pratt can be reached at (330) 287-1643 or e-mail cpratt@the-daily-record.com.  

Man who assaulted Medway agent gets 13 years in prison
February 19, 2005
By CHRISTINE L. PRATT
Staff Writer

MEDINA - A man who ran from law enforcement, which led to injuries of a Medway Drug Enforcement Agency agent and several others, was sentenced on Friday in to 13 years in prison.

Raymondt Mundy, 24, of 1005 Winton Ave., Akron, was found guilty by a jury of felonious assault on a police officer and three counts each of felonious assault and trafficking in crack cocaine.

The agent suffered serious back and neck injuries and “unfortunately this could be the end of his (law enforcement) career with the injuries he has,” Medway Director Chuck DeFelice said.

“I think everybody’s satisfied (with the sentence),” DeFelice said. “I think 13 years is a long time for anybody.”

“It’s a fair sentence; it’s a good sentence,” Medina County Prosecutor Dean Holman said, explaining the maximum sentence for manslaughter is 10 years in prison and the maximum sentence for murder is 15 years to life.

“There has to be some proportionality in sentences,” Holman said.

“I think it’s a fair sentence that is justified by the evidence. Thirteen years in prison is a long time,” he said.

Following an Oct. 20 buy-bust in Wadsworth, Medway agents, along with Wadsworth Police detectives, were attempting to arrest Mundy at a gas station at the intersection of High Street and Interstate 76. Mundy hit the agent, who was thrown onto the hood and roof of the car. The agent shot through the window, and bullet fragments hit Mundy in the neck, DeFelice said. The agent fell from the car, and despite his injuries, Mundy continued to flee.

Officers followed Mundy east on I-76, and then west onto state Route 261, where he crashed his vehicle into another westbound vehicle, forcing it off the south side of the road where it rolled over. Both occupants of the other vehicle declined to be transported to the hospital, according to the release.

Mundy continued west and collided with another vehicle at the intersection with state Route 94, at which time he got out of his vehicle and fled on foot. His 31-year-old passenger, Diynya Hamilton, did not flee and was transported to Wadsworth-Rittman Hospital along with the 20-year-old driver of the other vehicle.

Officers from Wadsworth, Norton and Lafayette police, along with deputies from the Medina County Sheriff’s Office and with the assistance of tracking dogs, found Mundy hiding on Franks Avenue, according to the release.

He was transported to Wadsworth-Rittman Hospital .

Reporter Christine L. Pratt can be reached at (330) 287-1643 or e-mail cpratt@the-daily-record.com.

Wooster man found guilty on drug charges
Wednesday March 2, 2005
By CHRISTINE L. PRATT
Staff Writer

WOOSTER - A Wooster man was found guilty on Tuesday of possessing crack cocaine.

Ra Aku Ensehusih, 46, of 1158 Madison Ave., Suite 1-24, pleaded no contest to the charge in Wayne County Common Pleas Court. Two charges of trafficking in crack cocaine, contained in the same indictment, were dismissed because, according to Wayne County Assistant Prosecutor Jocelyn Stefancin, the state “lost the cooperation of an essential witness who can establish the drugs were purchased from Mr. Ensehusih.”

The possession charge stems from an Aug. 12 incident in which Wooster Police officers and Medway Drug Enforcement agents searched Ensehusih’s West Larwill Street home.

Ensehusih, formerly known as Laverne Jackson, and his wife, Melissa S. (McIntire) Ensehusih, 25, were arrested.

Melissa Ensehusih pleaded guilty to possession of crack cocaine and possession of drug paraphernalia, stemming from a Sept. 3 incident, and permitting drug abuse, stemming from the Aug. 12 incident, and was sentenced to 11 months in prison.

Judge Mark K. Wiest scheduled a presentence investigation, and a sentencing date has yet to be scheduled for Ra Aku Ensehusih, who faces 18 months in prison and a $5,000 fine.

Ensehusih said he intends to appeal Wiest’s earlier ruling that the search of Ensehusih’s home was legal. Ensehusih claimed the search was illegal because officers, who had a “knock and announce” warrant, entered without first knocking. The judged ruled the officers had cause to enter without knocking because they had reason to believe Ensehusih was alerted to their presence.

Also at Tuesday’s hearing, Ra Aku Ensehusih pleaded not guilty to unrelated charges of fleeing and eluding a police officer and two counts of driving while under suspension, stemming from a Jan. 30 incident.

According to the Wooster Police Department, an officer on patrol saw Ensehusih driving on Madison Avenue, near Bever Street, recognized him, knew he was without a license and initiated a traffic stop.

The officer turned on the cruiser’s lights and siren, and lost sight of the vehicle, which later was spotted on Secrest Road.

The officer followed Ensehusih’s vehicle, which nearly collided with a pickup truck, according to the police report.

The vehicle pulled into a private drive, stopped, and two occupants, including the driver, fled on foot.

Ensehusih was not captured, but he was identified by the passenger in his vehicle, who was caught, and by the officer, according to the incident report.

The woman told police Ensehusih knew he was being followed and drove at speeds reaching 130 mph, according to the report.

If convicted of the fleeing charge, Ensehusih faces an additional 18 months in prison.

Reporter Christine L. Pratt can be reached at (330) 287-1643 or e-mail cpratt@the-daily-record.com. 

Two plead not guilty to felony drug charges
March 11, 2005
By CHRISTINE L. PRATT
Staff Writer

WOOSTER - Two Wooster2222 Melrose Drive, Apt. 130, with trafficking in drugs, specifically crack cocaine and possession of crack and marijuana.

Elizabeth J. Grabill, 22, of the same address, is charged with possession of crack and marijuana.

They were arrested after officers from the Wooster Police Department and agents from the Medway Drug Enforcement Agency executed an early morning no-knock search warrant at the apartment, according to the police department.

The warrant was issued after an investigation revealed possible drug activity at the residence, according to Lt. Steve Glick.

“The investigation began after both agencies received complaints from the public about suspicious activity at the apartment,” Glick said.

Officers seized about 9 1/2 grams of crack, valued at $1,900; 3 ounces of marijuana, valued at $720; drug paraphernalia; and $1,700 cash, according to Glick. While officers had reason to believe there might have been weapons, none were found, Medway Director Chuck DeFelice said.

Petty, also known as China, is a high-profile personality in Wooster drug trade, according to DeFelice.

He was one of more than 20 people arrested in a 2000 countywide drug sting. Petty, convicted of three counts of trafficking in crack cocaine, was sentenced to 17 months in prison as a result of the sting.

If convicted, Petty faces a maximum sentence of six years in prison and fines totaling 12,500. Grabill face a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

Reporter Christine L. Pratt can be reached at (330) 287-1643 or e-mail cpratt@the-daily-record.com. 

Arrests made after South Street raid
March 11, 2005
By CHRISTINE L. PRATT
Staff Writer

WOOSTER - Two people were arrested and face criminal charges following a Thursday raid at a South Street residence.

Douglas E. Collins, 30, of 334 W. South St., Wooster, was charged with trafficking in crack cocaine.

Gary L. Martin III, 22, of 340 W. Larwill St., Wooster, was charged with obstructing official business.

They were arrested after officers from the Wooster Police Department and agents from the Medway Drug Enforcement Agency executed an early morning no-knock search warrant at Collins’ apartment, according to the police department.

The no-knock warrant was requested due in part to an extensive video security system, including motion detectors, infrared technology and interior monitors, which had been installed at the home, according to Medway director Charles DeFelice.

The search was predicated by an investigation, prompted by reports of suspicious activity in the area that appeared to be drug related, according to police Lt. Steve Glick.

During a search of the home, officers seized 8.8 grams of crack, valued at $1,800; 11.3 grams of cocaine, valued at $1,100; and 94.6 grams of marijuana, worth $780. Also seized were a number of unidentified pills and about $1,000 in cash. Most of the drugs were found in the toilet where an attempt was made to flush them, according to Glick

“This was one of the more active distribution points for the crack in Wooster in recent months,” DeFelice said.

The investigation continues, and additional charges mare pending, according to Glick.

There were no injuries.

Reporter Christine L. Pratt can be reached at (330) 287-1643 or e-mail cpratt@the-daily-record.com. 

One arrest after drug raid at Buckeye Street home
March 18, 2005
By CHRISTINE L. PRATT
Staff Writer

WOOSTER - A Wooster woman faces a felony drug charge after being arrested during a Wednesday night raid of her home.

Paula M. Howard, 49, of 429 N. Buckeye St., is charged in Wayne County Municipal Court with possession of cocaine.

Shortly after 11 p.m., officers from the Medway Drug Enforcement Agency, the Wooster Police Department and the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at her residence, according to Wooster Police Lt. Steve Glick.

The Police Department and Medway received complaints about drug activity in the area, prompting an investigation that led to a request for a warrant, according to Glick.

Four people, including Howard, were found in the home. Howard was arrested and the other three were released, according to Glick.

“The residence was, with the amount of activity, what drew the suspicion. Dealers usually use someone else’s home to distance themselves - it’s a common scenario. She has no priors, the apartment is in her name, and she may have a habit or relationship with someone who does,” Medway Director Charles DeFelice said.

Found during the search was a small amount of suspected crack cocaine, some marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

Howard faces a maximum sentence of one year in prison and a $2,500 fine.

Reporter Christine L. Pratt can be reached at (330) 287-1643 or e-mail cpratt@the-daily-record.com. 

March 27, 2005
Orrville women arrested on drug charges

ORRVILLE - Two women were arrested and charged in Wayne County Municipal Court with drug-related offenses after law enforcement searched a 402 S. Main St., is charge with possession of drugs, and Joy Murdock, 43, 318 S. Main St., is charged with possession of drug paraphernalia, according to the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office.

Orrville Police officers, assisted by the Ohio Investigative Unit, Medway Drug Enforcement Agency and the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office, executed a search warrant at 402 S. Main St., Apt. B.

The warrant was issued as the result of an investigation into alleged fraud involving welfare benefits, according to police reports.

Seized during the search were two Ohio Direction cards (food stamps), powder cocaine, crack cocaine, marijuana and drug paraphernalia, reports show.

Orrville Capt. Jay Lax said about 10 officers, as well as a K-9 unit, were involved in the search warrant.

Wooster man gets a year in prison on drug charge
April 14, 2005
By CHRISTINE L. PRATT
Staff Writer

WOOSTER - A Wooster man on Wednesday was sentenced to a year in prison for possessing crack cocaine.

Ra Aku Ensehusih, 46, of 1158 Madison Ave., Suite 1-24, previously pleaded no contest to the charge in . Two charges of trafficking in crack cocaine, contained in the same indictment, were dismissed because, according to Wayne County Assistant Prosecutor Jocelyn Stefancin, the state “lost the cooperation of an essential witness who can establish the drugs were purchased from Mr. Ensehusih.”

The possession charge stems from an Aug. 12 incident in which Wooster Police officers and Medway Drug Enforcement Agency agents searched Ensehusih’s West Larwill Street home.

Ensehusih, formerly known as Laverne Jackson, and his wife, Melissa S. (McIntire) Ensehusih, 25, were arrested.

At the time of the incident, Ensehusih was on federal parole for a drug trafficking conviction.

Ensehusih remains free on bond pending appeal of Judge Mark K. Wiest’s earlier ruling the search of his home was legal. Ensehusih claimed the search was illegal because officers, who had a “knock and announce” warrant, entered without first knocking. The judged ruled the officers had cause to enter without knocking because they had reason to believe Ensehusih was alerted to their presence.

Stefancin said she was satisfied with the sentence considering Ensehusih was on parole at the time of the incident.

Melissa Ensehusih pleaded guilty to possession of crack cocaine and possession of drug paraphernalia, stemming from a Sept. 3 incident, and permitting drug abuse, stemming from the Aug. 12 incident, and was sentenced to 11 months in prison.

Reporter Christine L. Pratt can be reached at (330) 287-1643 or e-mail cpratt@the-daily-record.com. 

Man gets prison term in Wayne County’s first heroin trafficking case
April 16, 2005
By CHRISTINE L. PRATT
Staff Writer

WOOSTER - A Wooster man was sentenced to four years in prison for trafficking cocaine and heroin.

Stephen Cornelious, 21, of 555 High St., was found guilty following a March jury trial.

He was arrested after a Dec. 6 raid of two Bowman Street apartments.

Because the drugs found at the residence were packaged for sale, Wayne County Common Pleas Judge Robert J. Brown said Cornelious had the potential to cause physical and psychological harm to anyone who might have purchased the drugs on the street.

Officers confiscated 24 grams of crack cocaine, 10 doses of heroin and a small amount of marijuana.

“There was a substantial quantity of drugs found in the house, and from intelligence provided by Medway (Drug Enforcement Agency), it was a known drug house frequented by a number of drug users,” Brown said, adding the activity “jeopardized the safety of the residents nearby ... and there is a school not too far away.”

Cornelious denied supplying cocaine to his girlfriend, who testified she used service pay from her husband, stationed in Iraq, to purchase drugs, according to the court.

Bethany Hartsel, 434 1/2 Woodland Ave., Wooster, was found not guilty of related criminal charges filed in Wayne County Municipal Court.

“Based on the information available to me it appears (Cornelious) was a hard-working young man with no criminal record until last year,” Wayne County Assistant Prosecutor John Williams said. “His decision to become involved in drug trafficking seems to coincide with him beginning a relationship with Mrs. Hartsel. I find that interesting.”

Defense attorney Clarke Owens asked Brown to impose the minimum sentence of two years because Cornelious has had no prior criminal convictions.

Cornelious, who maintains his innocence, intends to appeal his conviction, according to Owens.

Medway Director Chuck DeFelice said he is “very satisfied” with the sentence.

“I think the judge is sending a message out we’re not going to tolerate this anymore - people selling drugs don‘t care who they get tied up in it, and it’s messing up people’s lives,” DeFelice said.

This is the first case DeFelice said he’s seen involving the sale of heroin, although “we’re hearing and seeing that it’s a bigger problem than just this one case.”

A four-year prison sentence for Cornelious, DeFelice said, “hopefully will deter someone else and make them think twice about setting up shop and selling heroin - or any drug, for that matter - in Wayne County. There’s going to be a price to be paid.”

Reporter Christine L. Pratt can be reached at (330) 287-1643 or e-mail cpratt@the-daily-record.com. 

Workers held at knifepoint
April 19, 2005
By BOBBY WARREN
Staff Writer

DOYLESTOWN - A 46-year-old Doylestown man is in custody after allegedly robbing pharmacy workers at knifepoint, locking them up in a back room and taking four bottles of pain relievers, including OxyContin.

Michael D. Shadrach, 327 Collier Road, has been charged with aggravated robbery, according to the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office.

Sgt. Scott Peters of the Doylestown Police was dispatched to a robbery in progress at CVS Pharmacy, 105 N. Portage St., at 1 p.m. Sunday. While en route, Peters recognized Shadrach less than a block away from the business and noted his clothing, according to a police report.

After talking with people inside the pharmacy, the description of the suspect’s clothing matched Shadrach’s, Chief Brian Dressler said.

Within 10 minutes, Shadrach was apprehended in a bedroom of a Clinton Street apartment, Dressler said. Peters brought Shadrach back to the pharmacy where three people identified him as the suspect. According to the police log, employees recognized the suspect, but could not recall his name.

Dressler said Shadrach allegedly entered the pharmacy, showed a knife under his sleeve to a pharmacy worker and demanded the OxyContin. After the pain relievers were handed over to the suspect in the back room, the workers were locked in the room.

The three bottles of OxyContin, a narcotic prescribed to treat moderate to severe pain, plus a bottle of oxycodone, a generic form of OxyContin, were recovered from the bedroom where Peters found Shadrach. The bottles contained 219 tablets and were valued at $1,750, Dressler said.

OxyContin is one of the most abused prescription drugs, according to Chuck DeFelice, director of the Medway Drug Enforcement Agency.

“We see the trafficking of OxyContin as much as the abuse,” DeFelice said. “A lot of heroin users go to OxyContin. It mimics the effects of heroin, but is more controlled. It is prescription quality. You don’t know what you’re getting in the street with heroin.”

No money was taken during the robbery. Dressler speculated the drugs were probably for personal use and not monetary gain.

Once at the Wayne County Justice Center, Shadrach filled out a written confession, according to Peters’ report.

Reporter Bobby Warren can be reached at (330) 287-1638 or e-mail bwarren@the-daily-record.com. 

Medway expects to take down more labs in county
April 29, 2005
By JOSEPH LEDFORD
Staff Writer

WALNUT CREEK - “(Methamphetamine) is huge, it’s everywhere in Holmes County,” detective Sgt. Roger Sprowl said.

Speaking at the Annual Child Abuse Prevention Breakfast at the Carlisle Village Inn on Thursday, he noted five meth labs have been shut down in the county in the past two years.

Sprowl said since Holmes County became an official member of Medway Drug Enforcement Agency on April 1, he expects to take down many more of the clandestine labs that not only produce the drug, but also create hazardous toxic waste that can hurt innocent people, specifically children.

Meth (also known as crank, speed, ice, glass and crystal) can be smoked, snorted, taken orally or injected and gives the user a euphoric high lasting from eight-10 hours.

The ingredients and equipment needed to make the drug are inexpensive and easily obtained at any hardware store or shopping center, making it possible for a meth cook to turn a considerable profit.

Meth is made when ephedrine or pseudoephedrine is extracted from cold medicines using solvents like Acetone and cooked with other household chemicals.

“We hope to get a better handle on this. ... It’s rampant in Holmes County,” the Holmes County Sheriff’s deputy said.

“This is not your father’s recreational drug,” said Prosecutor Stephen Knowling, calling meth the most dangerous drug he has seen.

He stressed uniformed police cannot deal with the growing drug problem, only undercover agents and surveillance equipment, like that made available through Medway, can combat it.

Formed in 1974, Medway serves all the cities and villages of Wayne and Holmes counties, as well as Brunswick and Wadsworth in Medina County, by using undercover agents and informants to infiltrate drug networks.

Agents gather intelligence and place it in a database for investigations and to speed up the search warrant process.

Fourteen meth labs were taken down by Medway in 2004, nine labs had children present and 22 arrests were made, according to Medway Director Charles DeFelice.

Last year, Medway seized 27 pounds of marijuana; 39.5 ounces of cocaine; 5.5 ounces of crack; 1.28 ounces of meth and more.

A total of 43 percent of drug searches had children present.

DeFelice said Medway provided Wayne County Children Services with 121 pieces of intelligence on drug abusers in 2004.

He noted more than 10 percent of all drug forfeiture proceeds go to fund public education on drug abuse prevention.

“Nobody elected to be a drug user ... How did they get to that point? ... They tried it,” DeFelice said Thursday. “We have to get kids to the point where they won’t even try it.”

To report a drug pusher, call Medway at 1-866-860-9513 or the Holmes County Sheriff’s Office at (330) 674-1936 or anonymously at (330) 674-7018.

Reporter Joseph Ledford can be reached at (330) 674-1811 or e-mail jledford@the-daily-record.com. 

Orrville man sentenced to two years on meth charge
May 27, 2005
By CHRISTINE L. PRATT
Staff Writer

WOOSTER - An Orrville man on Tuesday was sentenced to two years in prison for methamphetamine charges.

Wayne B. Miller, 34, of 1442 S. Carr Road, previously pleaded guilty to aggravated trafficking in drugs, aggravated possession of drugs and possession of drug paraphernalia. The charges stem from incidents in June and September.

Miller said he takes responsibility for his actions and is now drug free. He told Wayne County Common Pleas Judge Robert J. Brown, “I hope wherever you send me I can get the help I need.”

Defense attorney Mark Clark said Miller has paid a high price for his addiction to alcohol and meth, which destroyed a successful business, his marriage and his relationship with his son.

As he has told previously convicted drug traffickers, Brown said, “The court considers methamphetamine almost as dangerous as crack cocaine, and in some cases it can make individuals violent. If this were a mere drug possession case, the court would consider a treatment option.”

Miller admitted to allegations made by the Medway Drug Enforcement Agency he had been transporting pseudoephedrine, used to make meth, to Oklahoma, where it is strictly controlled.

In addition to the prison term, Miller was ordered to pay a $5,000 fine. His driver’s license was suspended for five years.

Reporter Christine L. Pratt can be reached at (330) 287-1643 or e-mail cpratt@the-daily-record.com. 

Drugs, weapons found in East Bowman raid
June 7, 2005 
By CHRISTINE L. PRATT
Staff Writer

WOOSTER - Two people were arrested after a Friday raid at an , both are charged with trafficking in cocaine within the vicinity of a school.

Officers from the Medway Drug Enforcement Agency, the Wooster and Rittman police departments and the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office executed a no-knock search warrant at the residence shortly after 8:30 p.m.

The no-knock warrant, signed by Wayne County Juvenile/Probate Court Judge Ray Leisy, was requested because Reed had a history of violent criminal activity and reportedly was armed, according to Wooster Police Lt. Steve Glick.

Officers found a semi-automatic handgun, a semi-automatic rifle, 12 grams of powder cocaine, five grams of marijuana, a small amount of suspected heroin, drug paraphernalia and about $200 cash, according to Glick.

The cocaine is valued at $1,200, he said.

Law enforcement received some complaints about possible drug activity at the residence some time ago, but the apartment had been under surveillance for several months as part of an investigation.

Hazlett and Reed “probably play little bigger roles in the local drug trade than the amount of drugs would indicate,” Glick said.

Medway Director Chuck DeFelice said, “We have been able to establish this was not only a source for Wooster, but for various cities throughout Wayne County.”

DeFelice noted drug activity at the apartment has been linked to trafficking between the area and Chicago.

“(Chicago) is a source city. It’s like Detroit, Miami or New York,” he said.

The raid, Glick said, did not bring the investigation to an end and more charges are expected.

The presence of heroin, although in a small amount, is of concern to Glick, who said heroin use is a growing problem.

Reporter Christine L. Pratt can be reached at (330) 287-1643 or e-mail cpratt@the-daily-record.com. 

Twenty plants seized in Doylestown drug raid
June 15, 2005
By BOBBY WARREN
Staff Writer

DOYLESTOWN - Twenty marijuana plants, with a potential street value of $20,000, were confiscated during a Friday night search of a South Portage Street house.

The 46-year-old resident of the home is expected to be charged with cultivation of marijuana, possession of schedule three drugs, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of marijuana, according to police.

Two areas in the house were dedicated to growing marijuana with special lighting, a shiny paper lining the walls and a propane lamp emitting carbon dioxide to promote plant growth, said Sgt. David Leighty, who was assisted in the search by three other Doylestown Police officers. The plants, he said, had grown to about 4 feet in height.

Had the plants matured fully, each could have produced about $1,000 in marijuana, according to Chuck DeFelice, director of the Medway Drug Enforcement Agency.

No scales, evidence of a trafficking business, were found in the residence, Leighty said, adding that of the suspected loose marijuana found in glass jars, none was packaged for resale.

The suspect said he did not sell it, but did give away some to friends, according to the police report.

“It’s well over personal use,” DeFelice said of the quantity capable of being produced by the plants. “It’s got to be going somewhere because they are not smoking that much.”

“It’s not as big as some of the grows in the past, but it is still a fairly large one,” Leighty said.

Also during the search, officers also found three loaded handguns, several boxes of ammunition, Viagra, a generic form of Vicodin and some marijuana joints in two film canisters.

Reporter Bobby Warren can be reached at (330) 287-1638 or e-mail bwarren@the-daily-record.com. 

Kay faces charges for marijuana possession
July 26, 2005
By CHRISTINE L. PRATT
Staff Writer

WOOSTER - A local businessman on Friday admitted twice possessing marijuana - when officers stopped him for a traffic violation and later that day when they searched his home.

Quincy E. Kay, 39, of 3242 Lincoln Way East, Apt. 5, Wayne County Common Pleas Court to two counts of possession of drugs. His plea followed a ruling by Judge Mark K. Wiest denying Kay’s request to suppress evidence.

Kay is the owner of K&M’s Gifts To Go, located at 313 E. Liberty St., Wooster, according to a vendor’s license filed with the Wayne County Auditor’s Office. The license indicates the business specializes in clothing and candles sales.

Kay was stopped on Sept. 3 along Franchester Road after an officer saw him driving left of center, according to the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office.

A drug-detecting dog alerted deputies to drugs, and three 1-pound bags of marijuana were found in the vehicle, Capt. Doug Hunter said.

After obtaining a search warrant, investigators, joined by agents from the Medway Drug Enforcement Agency, recovered an additional 12 pounds of marijuana at Kay’s home.

“He definitely was a large source of marijuana to Wayne County,” said Medway Director Chuck DeFelice, adding Kay’s guilty plea “shows we had a strong case.”

Kay faces up to 10 years in prison and fines totaling $20,000.

Reporter Christine L. Pratt can be reached at (330) 287-1643 or e-mail cpratt@the-daily-record.com. 

Commissioners sign off on Wayne tax levels
August 12, 2005 
By MARC KOVAC
Staff Writer

WOOSTER - The Wayne County commissioners finalized tax levy levels for the new year, following certification by the county budget commission.

The commissioners last month OK’d the county’s 2006 tax budget, which outlined $19.1 million in receipts and $25.1 million in expenditures.

The document reviews estimated general fund receipts and expenditures but does not make appropriations. It was forwarded to the budget commission to certify tax revenues are needed for county operations. A more detailed budget, with specific appropriations for each county department, will be completed by the end of the year.

The budget commission, which includes the county treasurer, auditor and prosecutor, subsequently certified the tax budget, sending it back to the commissioners for acceptance.

During its regular weekly business meeting Wednesday, the commissioners authorized existing tax levy levels and certified the results to the auditor.

“It’s nothing new,” said Commissioner Ann Obrecht. “All the voters have voted on these in the past. ... This is something that is done every year so that the auditor is allowed to collect those.”

Inside millage will generate about $3.9 million for the county’s general fund. Outside millage will generate about $12 million for the county home, children’s services, Ida Sue and Medway Drug Enforcement Agency.

In other business:

- The commissioners approved a services contract between Wayne County Common Pleas Court, the adult probation department and Goodwill Industries of Wayne & Holmes Counties, at a maximum cost of $5,250. Goodwill works with individuals referred by the court needing to “obtain and retain employment,” according to the resolution.

- The board OK’d agreements with the Ohio Department of Transportation for two bridge projects. The first involves Warwick Road in Chippewa Township, and the second covers Dalton-Fox Lake Road in  Sugarcreek Township . Both will involve federal monies, and the agreements enable the county engineer to administer the projects, which will be completed during the next two years.

County reporter Marc Kovac can be reached at (330) 287-1645 or e-mail at mkovac@the-daily-record.com.

Thirteen indicted on drug charges
August 19, 2005
By MATT TULLIS
Staff Writer 

MILLERSBURG - Thirteen people, including one juvenile, have been indicted by a Holmes County grand jury on drug charges stemming from a four-month investigation conducted by the Holmes County Sheriff’s Office, the Millersburg Police Department and Medway Drug Enforcement Agency.

It was Medway’s first investigation centering solely on Holmes County since the agency was contracted by county commissioners earlier this spring.

“Some of these people have been known as being involved in drugs,” said Medway Director Chuck DeFelice. “They were areas of interest that were brought to our attention when we started down here.”

According to Holmes County Prosecutor’s Office, search warrants were executed in the last four months at the homes of Jeffrey A. Craig, 47, 5623 State Route 39, Millersburg, Michael J. Shoemaker, 20, 57 S. Crawford St., Millersburg, Troy D. Lastohkein, 38, 101 Water St., Holmesville, Santiago P. Cruz, 26, 7178 Township Road 319, Apt. A, Millersburg, and Timothy R. Reigle, 44, 10210 State Route 520, Killbuck.

Searches turned up drugs, money and firearms, and have resulted in the arrest of eleven adults and one juvenile. The lone person who has been indicted but not arrested yet is Jereme W. Strouse, who has been charged with trafficking in cocaine and marijuana, as well as endangering children. Holmes County Sheriff Timothy W. Zimmerly was optimistic Strouse would be arrested soon.

“He knows we’re after him,” Zimmerly said.

Among those indicted were: Paula N. Ball, 27, 3118 Township Road 86, Killbuck, for aggravated trafficking in drugs and endangering children; Craig for aggravated possession of drugs; Cruz for trafficking in cocaine, trafficking in marijuana, endangering children and possession of cocaine; Myron L. Degler Jr., 56, 850 Massillon Road, Millersburg, for trafficking in marijuana; Tammy L. Graham, 26, 7178 Township Road 319, Apt. A, Millersburg, for possession of cocaine, endangering children and permitting drug abuse; Bryant K. Lamp, 31, 235 S. Railroad St., for trafficking in cocaine; Lastohkein for illegal manufacturing or cultivation of marijuana; Melinda D. Reigle, 41, 10210 State Route 520, Killbuck, for permitting drug abuse and endangering children; Timothy Reigle for trafficking in marijuana, having weapons while under disability and endangering children; Shoemaker for possession of cocaine and possession of drug paraphernalia; Terry B. Smith, 40, 267 E. Adams St., Millersburg, for trafficking in marijuana.

A 17-year-old girl also was charged with possession of cocaine and drug paraphernalia.

Cruz, Degler, Melinda Reigle and Timothy Reigle have all been arraigned and are awaiting pre-trial, according to Holmes County Prosecutor Stephen Knowling. Graham has already pleaded guilty to charges of endangering children and permitting drug abuse in exchange for the possession of cocaine charge being dropped, he said.

Knowling said one of the more alarming things about these defendants is the fact they are bringing children to drug deals.

“There are a number of cases where there are children involved, ranging in age from 1 1/2 to 16,” Knowling said.

According to the search warrant issued by Holmes County Court to inspect the Reigle residence, the sheriff’s office received information from a confidential source that stated Timothy Reigle was heavily involved in the use and sale of drugs, and that he had his children, ranging in age from 8 to 18, also involved.

DeFelice said it took a swat team from the Holmes County Sheriff’s Office to serve the warrant on the Reigle home, where several guns, a large amount of cash and drugs were found.

As for Cruz, DeFelice said he could be called a supplier because of the amount of cocaine he was moving. According to the search warrant issued July 2, an undercover Medway agent purchased cocaine from Cruz on June 14 for $1,200. The same agent also purchased marijuana from Cruz two times, once on June 14 and again two days later for a combined total of $320.

Cruz was arrested on July 1 after another deal, to purchase one ounce of cocaine for $1,600, went south. Cruz had refused to bring the drug and was insisting the undercover agent go to Cruz’s residence to pick it up. As Cruz became irate, a Medway arrest team moved in and apprehended Cruz “to neutralize the situation.”

Once a search warrant was issued, officers searched Cruz’s residence and arrested Graham. According to the search warrant inventory list, officers found drugs and drug paraphernalia.

Lastohkein was arrested after a fly-over revealed he was allegedly growing marijuana plants beside his home, DeFelice said.

Millersburg Police Chief Thomas Vaughn said he was happy with the work Medway has done.

“This is only the tip of the iceberg,” Vaughn said.

Zimmerly said he is thankful Commissioners David Hall and Joe Miller found the funds to contract with Medway.

“We’re all very happy with the progress we have made and the work Medway is doing for us,” he said.

Reporter Matt Tullis can be reached at (330) 674-1811 or e-mail mtullis@the-daily-record.com. 

Four arrested in drug raid on two Orrville residences
August 30, 2005
By PAUL LOCHER
Staff Writer

ORRVILLE - Medway Drug Enforcement Agency Director Chuck DeFelice said timing was everything in what he characterized as a unique drug raid on two residences simultaneously late Friday night. Four were arrested and drugs and paraphernalia were seized.

Orrville Police Chief Joe Routh said that at 11:44 p.m. special response teams from Orrville and Wooster, along with Medway agents, a K-9 unit from Doylestown and officers from the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office executed no-knock search warrants at 318 1/2 S. Main St. and 402 S. Main St.

Routh said the SWAT teams made entry into the two houses because of “concerns with out-of-state people” at the premises. “We didn’t know who they were or if they had firearms,” Routh said.

DeFelice said one of the houses was being used as a “stash house,” while the other was the “selling house.”

“They were selling from one house and shipping from the other,” said DeFelice.

The raid, DeFelice said, was both complex and lengthy in the planning stages because Medway had to establish probable cause to be able to get warrants to hit both houses as the same time.

“It took some work,” said DeFelice, who noted the agency had been making undercover buys there for some time and had responded to complaints from people in the neighborhood.

What made the situation difficult for officers, DeFelice said, was that the two houses were within 50 yards of each other and linked by radio communication. He said if agents hit one house even slightly ahead of the other, residents in one house could have had enough time to contact residents in the other, and evidence could have been destroyed.

Routh said about nine grams of suspected crack cocaine were seized, along with an undetermined amount of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

Arrested were two Orrville women, ages 49 and 44, both for alleged possession of crack cocaine, possession of LSD, possession of prescription medication and permitting drug abuse. Both were transported to the Wayne County Justice Center.

Also arrested was a 19-year-old Orrville woman for alleged underage possession of alcohol, who was released on a personal recognizance bond, and a 46-year-old Wadsworth man for alleged possession of drug paraphernalia, also released on a personal recognizance bond.

Those arrested had not been formally charged as of Monday afternoon.

The warrants were signed by Wayne County Common Pleas Court Judge Robert Brown.

DeFelice said the investigation is continuing and additional charges are pending.

Reporter Paul Locher can be reached at (330) 682-2055, ext. 218, or at plocher@the-daily-record.com. 

High gas, more inmates take bite out of Holmes jail budget
September 14, 2005
By MATT TULLIS
Staff Writer

MILLERSBURG - Like most Americans with a limited source of income, the Holmes County Sheriff’s Office is running into trouble when it comes to buying food and gas.

The Holmes County commissioners allocated about $53,000 this year for the jail kitchen despite the fact total expenditures last year totaled more than $77,000. Through August, the kitchen has spent $53,332 feeding inmates, and is on pace to spend about $79,000 for the year.

“For whatever reason, the amount appropriated at the beginning of the year was quite a lot less than in past years,” Chief Deputy Nathan G. Fritz said.

The jail also is dealing with a larger than average population. In January, the jail averaged 38 inmates per day. By March, that number dropped to 30, but then the climb started, June, 42; July, 47; August, 49. And as of Sept. 6, the jail averaged 51 inmates per day. Jail capacity is 62.

“Our population has been up ever since the middle of the year,” Fritz said.

The commissioners asked if other counties were buying beds to house their own inmates, and Fritz said all the inmates are Holmes County’s own.

“I think Medway is a big factor,” he said, referring to a recent drug bust that saw 13 Holmes County residents indicted and arrested for various drug charges. “There are a lot of those still in who can’t make bail. That’s what brings our total up more than anything else.”

Commissioners’ Chairman David Hall said the board would have to meet with county auditor Jackie McKee to come up with a solution for the jail kitchen.

County commissioners also are going to have to scrounge to find gas money. This was expected, although not quite so early in the year.

“This has been an ongoing issue for the last three years,” Fritz said. “We’ve agreed with the commissioners on a specific amount, knowing it wasn’t enough, with the understanding that when we’ve exhausted the appropriation, we go back to them, and then on a month-by-month basis, they provide the funding.”

The Sheriff’s Office was allocated $45,000 for gasoline for the year, but by the end of August, already had spent $48,432. Gas is costing county law enforcement officers more than $6,000 a month, Fritz said, and that’s with a 10-cent to 15-cent discount from pump prices.

“Our overnight and weekend shifts, when things are slow, they’re supposed to be sitting somewhere,” Fritz said.

Fritz said it would take $26,672 to make the jail kitchen solvent through the rest of the year, and another $24,217 for gas.

Reporter Matt Tullis can be at (330) 674-1811 or e-mail mtullis@the-daily-record.com. 

Businessman sent to prison on drug charges
September 17, 2005
By CHRISTINE L. PRATT
Staff Writer

WOOSTER - A local businessman on Friday was sentenced to three years in prison after admitting to twice possessing marijuana - when officers stopped him for a traffic violation and later that day when they searched his home.

Quincy E. Kay, 39, of 3242 Lincoln Way East, Apt. 5, Wayne County Common Pleas Court to two counts of possession of drugs. His plea followed a ruling by Judge Mark K. Wiest denying Kay’s request to suppress evidence.

While Kay has not been in trouble with the law since 1992, he had four prior convictions for drug-related offenses, two of which yielded prison sentences, according to Wayne County Assistant Prosecutor Jocelyn Stefancin, who argued for a prison sentence.

“Given his history with drugs and the amount of drugs, I believe the sentence was appropriate,” she said following the sentencing hearing.

Kay is the owner of K&M’s Gifts To Go, located at 313 E. Liberty St., Wooster, according to a vendor’s license filed with the Wayne County Auditor’s Office. The license indicates the business specializes in clothing and candles sales.

Kay was stopped on Sept. 3, 2004, on Franchester Road after an officer saw him driving left of center, according to the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office.

A drug-detecting dog alerted deputies to drugs, and three 1-pound bags of marijuana were found in the vehicle, Capt. Doug Hunter said.

After obtaining a search warrant, investigators, joined by agents from the Medway Drug Enforcement Agency, recovered an additional 12 pounds of marijuana at Kay’s home.

“He definitely was a large source of marijuana to Wayne County,” said Medway Director Chuck DeFelice, adding Kay’s guilty plea “shows we had a strong case.”

Kay’s attorney, Frank Pignatelli, did not return a call for comment following the hearing.

Reporter Christine L. Pratt can be reached at (330) 287-1643 or e-mail cpratt@the-daily-record.com. 

Cruz sentenced to four years
October 1, 2005
By MATT TULLIS
Staff Writer

MILLERSBURG - Santiago Cruz, 27, 7178 Township Road 319, Apt. A, Millersburg, was sentenced to four years in prison Thursday for convictions of trafficking in cocaine, possession of cocaine and child endangering.

Cruz pleaded guilty Aug. 23.

According to a search warrant issued July 2, an undercover Medway agent purchased cocaine from Cruz on June 14 for $1,200. The same agent also purchased marijuana from Cruz two times, once on June 14 and again two days later for a combined total of $320.

Cruz was arrested July 1 after another deal, to purchase 1 ounce of cocaine for $1,600, went south. Cruz had refused to bring the drug and was insisting the undercover agent go to Cruz’s residence to pick it up. As Cruz became irate, a Medway arrest team moved in and apprehended Cruz “to neutralize the situation.”

The endangering children conviction stems from the fact that Cruz sold the drugs from his home, in the presence of Tammy Graham’s children. Graham, 26, 7178 Township Road 319, Apt. A, Millersburg, recently was convicted and sentenced to 365 days in jail and fined $500 for permitting drug use and endangering children.

Graham and Cruz were two of 13 people arrested during the first Medway investigation that focused solely on Holmes  County .

Reporter Matt Tullis can be reached at (330) 674-1811 or e-mail mtullis@the-daily-record.com.

Doylestown meth lab taken down on Saturday
October 3, 2005
By BOBBY WARREN
Staff Writer

DOYLESTOWN - A 38-year-old Doylestown man remains incarcerated after officers from Medway Drug Enforcement Agency and the village’s police department discovered a working methamphetamine lab Saturday at his 325 High St. apartment.

Theodore Wiesen has been charged with the illegal manufacturing of a drug and is in the Wayne County Jail pending payment of a $50,000 cash bond. Because it was in the vicinity of a school, Wiesen faces a felony one charge instead of a felony two.

Medway Director Chuck DeFelice said when agents executed a search warrant, they found Wiesen in the process of breaking down pseudoephedrine.

“It’s alarming that it is so close to a school,” Doylestown Police Chief Brian Dressler said. “I’m glad we were able to shut it down without an incident.”

“These labs are highly flammable,” DeFelice said. “He had a disregard for neighbors in the community.”

Wiesen lives in a duplex and had the meth lab caught fire, “a party that has nothing to do with this could have been affected if it went bad,” DeFelice added.

“I think it goes to show these things are becoming more common in our area,” Dressler said. “I’m pleased we’re on top of this and our drug intelligence paid off. We appreciate Medway’s work in helping us fight these things in our community.”

Medway agents had been working on the raid for three weeks, DeFelice said. No one else was arrested, but the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office is reviewing charges on other suspects, he added.

Dressler urged residents to call police if they smell unusual odors or see suspicious activity.

Reporter Bobby Warren can be reached at (330) 287-1638 or e-mail bwarren@the-daily-record.com. 

Doylestown meth lab taken down on Saturday
October 4, 2005
By BOBBY WARREN
Staff Writer

DOYLESTOWN - A 38-year-old Doylestown man remains incarcerated after officers from Medway Drug Enforcement Agency and the village’s police department discovered a working methamphetamine lab Saturday at his 325 High St. apartment.

Theodore Wiesen has been charged with the illegal manufacturing of a drug and is in the Wayne County Jail pending payment of a $50,000 cash bond. Because it was in the vicinity of a school, Wiesen faces a felony one charge instead of a felony two.

Medway Director Chuck DeFelice said when agents executed a search warrant, they found Wiesen in the process of breaking down pseudoephedrine.

“It’s alarming that it is so close to a school,” Doylestown Police Chief Brian Dressler said. “I’m glad we were able to shut it down without an incident.”

“These labs are highly flammable,” DeFelice said. “He had a disregard for neighbors in the community.”

Wiesen lives in a duplex and had the meth lab caught fire, “a party that has nothing to do with this could have been affected if it went bad,” DeFelice added.

“I think it goes to show these things are becoming more common in our area,” Dressler said. “I’m pleased we’re on top of this and our drug intelligence paid off. We appreciate Medway’s work in helping us fight these things in our community.”

Medway agents had been working on the raid for three weeks, DeFelice said. No one else was arrested, but the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office is reviewing charges on other suspects, he added.

Dressler urged residents to call police if they smell unusual odors or see suspicious activity.

Reporter Bobby Warren can be reached at (330) 287-1638 or e-mail bwarren@the-daily-record.com. 

December 5, 2005
Wooster man gets year for drug trafficking

WOOSTER - A Wooster2222 Melrose Drive, Apt. 130, pleaded guilty Thursday to counts of drug trafficking (a fifth-degree felony) and possession (a third-degree felony).

Common Pleas Judge Mark K. Wiest subsequently sentenced Petty to 12 months on each charge, to be served concurrently. Additionally, Petty must pay applicable fines and could be subject to post-release control for up to three years.

Petty was charged after local officers executed an early morning no-knock search warrant on his apartment. Officers seized about 9 1/2 grams of crack, valued at $1,900; 3 ounces of marijuana, valued at $720; drug paraphernalia; and $1,700 cash, according to reports. 

Woman sentenced for drug trafficking
December 15, 2005
By CHRISTINE L. PRATT
Staff Writer

WOOSTER - An Orrville woman was sentenced to three years in prison for involvement in organized drug trafficking.

Yvonne Jones, 49, formerly of Wayne County Common Pleas Court to engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, three counts of trafficking in crack cocaine, one count of possession of crack cocaine and possession of drug paraphernalia stemming from an Aug. 29 raid on her home.

Jones also pleaded guilty to trafficking in crack and possession of drugs stemming from an Oct. 7 incident, trafficking in drugs stemming from a May 4 incident and possession of crack, illegal use of food stamps, possession of drug paraphernalia and endangering children stemming from a March 23 incident.

A second charge of illegal use of food stamps was dismissed.

Judge Mark K. Wiest imposed the prison sentence.

Jones said she had surgery for cancer in January and shortly thereafter was stripped of Medicaid benefits.

“I couldn’t pay for my medication,” she said. “I was in pain, and I didn’t know where to go, so I turned to street drugs,” she said at her sentencing hearing.

Also charged with engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, three counts of trafficking in crack cocaine, one count of possession of crack cocaine and possession of drug paraphernalia is Joy Y. Murdock, 44, of 318 1/2 S. Main St., Rear, Orrville.

On March 23, Orrville Police searched Jones’ home as part of an investigation into illegal use of food stamps. It is believed Jones was accepting food stamps in exchange for illegal drugs, according to Chief Joe Routh.

Both women were found in the home where there was evidence of crack use.

Reports dating back to 1989 connect Jones with drug trafficking, numerous accounts of confidential informants buying drugs from Jones and observations of Jones making trips to Murdock’s residence, presumably serving as a storehouse for the operation, according to an affidavit for the Aug. 29 search warrant of both women’s homes.

The “selling house” and the “stash house” were connected by two-way radio communication, said Medway Drug Enforcement Agency Director Chuck DeFelice.

Investigators seized about 9 grams of suspected crack cocaine and an undetermined amount of marijuana and drug paraphernalia, Routh said.

The state pursued organized crime charges because “from the activity, this was an organized effort to evade detection and apprehension by using one house to store, and another to sell,” DeFelice said.

Murdock also is charged with tampering with evidence stemming from the March 23 raid. She has pleaded not guilty to all of the charges levied against her.

Jones has prior convictions of four counts of trafficking in crack, one count of possession of crack and five counts of trafficking in cocaine stemming from offenses between November 1998 and February 2001.

Of Jones’ three-year sentence, DeFelice said, “I’m pleased. It should take care of a lot of the (drug) activity in Orrville.”

Stefancin said she also is pleased with the sentence: “She had prior convictions for trafficking in drugs, and her continued presence in the City of Orrville created a nuisance to her neighbors in the community.”

Public defender Lisa Brown said she had no comment following sentencing.

Reporter Christine L. Pratt can be reached at (330) 287-1643 or e-mail cpratt@the-daily-record.com. 

Man faces 19 years in prison after drug raid
December 16, 2005
By CHRISTINE L. PRATT
Staff Writer

WOOSTER - A Wooster man on Wednesday pleaded not guilty to drug charges stemming from a Nov. 21 raid of his , is charged in Wayne County Common Pleas Court with possession of cocaine, possession of marijuana and aggravated possession of drugs.

Panasek, who was under surveillance by officers, was arrested in the Akron area while his home was being searched.

About $7,000 was in his vehicle.

“The investigation revealed that Panasek had traveled to the Akron area to buy several pounds of marijuana to sell here in Wayne County,” Wooster Police Lt. Steve Glick said.

Inside his home, officers found about 600 grams of cocaine, valued at $25,000-$60,000; 65 tablets of Ecstasy, valued at $1,950; 2 pounds of marijuana, valued at $2,800-$4,480; a .357 magnum revolver; and about $13,000 cash, according to Glick.

They all were found hidden under a false floor in a closet and in the apartment’s ductwork, according to Glick.

Most of the drugs had come from out-of-state suppliers, said Medway Director Chuck DeFelice, adding the drugs were destined for distribution in Wooster, Orrville, Rittman, Wadsworth and villages throughout Wayne  County .

Panasek faces 19 years in prison and fines totaling $37,500.

He is incarcerated in the Wayne County Jail pending payment of $250,000, cash or surety.

Reporter Christine L. Pratt can be reached at (330) 287-1643 or e-mail cpratt@the-daily-record.com.