WASHINGTON ― Arrests by the Drug Enforcement Administration for fentanyl offenses exceeded those for heroin offenses for the first time in fiscal year 2021, according to a new Bureau of Justice Statistics report, Heroin, Fentanyl, and Other Opioid Offenses in Federal Courts, 2021. During FY 2021, the DEA made 3,138 arrests for fentanyl, 2,591 arrests for heroin and 676 arrests for other opioid offenses. From FY 2020 to FY 2021, there was a 36% increase in arrests made by the DEA for fentanyl and a 29% decrease in arrests for heroin.
The DEA also reported an increase (1,528 arrests, or 6%) in total drug arrests from FY 2020 to FY 2021. Fentanyl arrests made up 11% of that total; heroin, 9%; and other opioids, 2%. The majority (55%) of drug arrests were for methamphetamine (33%) and cocaine (22%).
Arrests for heroin, fentanyl and other opioids increased from 4,830 in FY 2001 to a peak of 8,258 in 2015, then declined to 6,405 in FY 2021. Of the 6,405 total persons arrested by the DEA for opioids as the primary drug in FY 2021, 52% were ages 21 to 34, while 11% were age 50 or older and 5% were age 20 or younger. Males made up 80% and females 20% of persons arrested for opioids.
In FY 2021, 1,679 persons were sentenced for drug offenses involving fentanyl—a 45% increase from FY 2020.
“Beyond the overall increase in fentanyl sentences from FY 2020, looking at regional patterns in FY 2021, sentences imposed for drug offenses involving heroin, fentanyl and other opioids made up a larger share of drug sentences imposed in northeastern states than in other regions,” said Kevin M. Scott, Ph.D., BJS Acting Director. “Most persons sentenced for heroin, fentanyl and other opioids (97%) were sentenced for drug trafficking.”
Males accounted for 82% of persons sentenced for a drug offense involving opioids in FY 2021 and females accounted for 18%. The majority (77%) of persons sentenced in FY 2021 for drug offenses involving heroin, fentanyl or other opioids as the primary drug were Hispanic (39%) or black (38%), with white (21%); American Indian (1%); and Asian, Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander (1%) comprising the remainder.
Most (86%) persons sentenced for opioid-related drug offenses were U.S. citizens. Non-U.S. citizens comprised 14% of persons sentenced for a drug offense involving opioids, with 7% being citizens of Mexico, followed by 4% with citizenship in a Caribbean country.
Of those individuals sentenced for an opioid-related offense, 89% received a prison term. Most persons sentenced for drug offenses involving heroin (89%) or fentanyl (87%) had a prior criminal history at sentencing and received a median prison term of 46 months. Persons sentenced for oxycodone received a median prison term of 26 months, and those sentenced for hydrocodone received a median term of 24 months. Among individuals sentenced for any opioid-related offense, 67% received a shorter sentence than the guideline range.
These and other findings are from BJS’s Federal Justice Statistics Program, which collects data from the U.S. Marshals Service, DEA, Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys, Federal Bureau of Prisons and U.S. Sentencing Commission.
Heroin, Fentanyl, and Other Opioid Offenses in Federal Courts, 2021, written by BJS Statistician Mark Motivans, Ph.D.; related documents; and additional information about BJS’s statistical publications and programs are available on the BJS website at bjs.ojp.gov.
WASHINGTON ― In 2021, about 23.9 million U.S. residents age 16 or older (9% of the population) had experienced identity theft in the past 12 months, according to the Bureau of Justice Statistics’ new report Victims of Identity Theft, 2021. As of 2021, about 1 in 5 persons (22%) had experienced identity theft in their lifetime.
In 2021, almost 4% of people had their credit card misused, while 3% had their bank account misused. Two percent experienced misuse of their email or social media account. Nearly 1% had their personal information misused for fraudulent purposes, such as getting medical care or applying for a job or government benefits. Less than 1% had their personal information misused to open a new account.
Consequences of identity-theft victimization varied by the type of crime victims experienced. A majority of victims (56%) spent 1 day or less resolving financial or credit problems associated with their most recent identity theft. About 7% of identity-theft victims reported the incident to law enforcement, and 67% of victims contacted a credit card company or bank. On average, victims sustained direct financial losses of $880. Victims of new account misuse ($3,430) had higher direct losses on average compared to victims of bank account ($670) and credit card misuse ($620).
“While about 6 in 10 (59%) victims of identity-theft incidents in 2021 had financial losses of $1 or more, those losses totaled $16.4 billion” noted Kevin M. Scott, PhD, Acting Director of BJS. “In addition, 10% of identity-theft victims in 2021 were severely distressed as a result of the crime.”
Findings are from the 2021 Identity Theft Supplement (ITS) to the National Crime Victimization Survey. From July through December 2021, the ITS collected data from persons about their experience with identity theft during the 12 months before the interview. The 2021 ITS featured a redesigned questionnaire, aimed at improving the quality of data collected and modernizing the survey content. These changes include excluding attempted incidents of identity theft, collecting the month and year of the most recent occurrence of each type of identity theft and adding the misuse of an existing email or social media account as a separate type of identity theft.
“These changes resulted in several improvements to the ITS questionnaire,” Dr. Scott explained. “For example, the new questionnaire allows for reducing the number of incidents reported that occurred outside the survey window. It also decreases respondent burden by streamlining the information requested.”
BJS is also releasing the complementary third-party report, Assessing the Measurement of Identity Theft through the Identity Theft Supplement to the National Crime Victimization Survey, produced for BJS by RTI International, which describes efforts to assess potential sources of measurement error in the ITS.
Oxford Twp – The Sandusky Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating a single vehicle crash that occurred on Saturday February 25, 2024 at approximately 6:10 AM on Mason Road just west of Harris Road in Oxford Township, Erie County.
John Donald, age 45, of Sandusky, Ohio was driving a 2013 Hyundai Sonata and was heading westbound on Mason Road. Mr. Donald’s vehicle crossed over the yellow centerline and traveled off the south side of Mason Road. Hyundai then struck a fire hydrant, fence post, and overturned.
Mr. Donald was not wearing a safety belt at the time of the crash and was subsequently ejected from the vehicle. Mr. Donald sustained fatal injuries as a result of the crash.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted on scene by the Erie County Sheriff’s Office, North Central EMS, Groton Township Fire Department, Sandusky Towing, Groff’s Funeral Home, and the Erie County Water Division.
GALION — The Bucyrus Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating a fatal crash that occurred on February 21, 2024, at approximately 1 1 : 15 p.m. on State Route 97 near Millsboro Road in Polk Township.
The preliminary investigation shows David L. Brown, 70 years of age, of Mansfield, Ohio, was operating a Buick LeSabre, eastbound on State Route 97 and traveled off the left side of the roadway. The vehicle struck a guardrail, a ditch, and an embankment before coming to final rest on the north side of the roadway.
Brown was transported to Galion Avita Hospital by Galion EMS where he was pronounced deceased. Brown was wearing his seatbelt at the time of the crash. Alcohol and drugs are not suspected to be a factor in the crash.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted on scene by the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office, Galion Fire & EMS, and Ronk’s Towing.
UPDATE — February 21 – Bucyrus Post investigating fatal crash on U.S. Route 23 in Wyandot County
Further examination of damage sustained to the Nissan leads troopers to believe the other vehicle involved in this crash is a semi-tractor trailer, a dump truck or other heavy commercial vehicle. The impact likely caused damage to the rear of the unknown vehicle, its trailer or the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) bumper. The unknown vehicle possibly went northbound on U.S. 23 after leaving the scene of the crash. The crash remains under investigation and anyone with information regarding the location of this vehicle, the identity of its driver or any other information is asked to call the Bucyrus Post at 419-562-8040.
UPPER SANDUSKY – The Bucyrus Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating a fatal crash that occurred today at approximately 5:56 a.m. on U.S. Route 23 near Township Road 65 in Pitt Township.
The preliminary investigation shows Brady D. Neifer, 25, Archbold, Ohio, was operating a Nissan Maxima, southbound on U.S. Route 23 when his vehicle struck an unknown vehicle. The impact caused Neifer to travel off the west side of the roadway and come to rest along a tree line. The unknown vehicle left the scene after the crash occurred.
Neifer was pronounced deceased on scene by the Wyandot County coroner. Neifer was not wearing a safety belt at the time of the crash. Alcohol and drugs are not suspected to be a factor in the crash.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted on scene by the Wyandot County Sheriff’s Office, Ohio Department of Transportation, Pitt Township Fire Department, Wyandot County EMS, and Fox’s Towing.
The crash remains under investigation and anyone with information regarding the location of the unknown vehicle, the identity of its driver or any other information is asked to call the Bucyrus Post at 419-562-8040.
Today, Governor DeWine of Ohio has once again issued a reprieve, this time for Timothy L. Hoffner. Hoffner was scheduled to be executed on June 18, 2024, but his execution date has now been moved to July 14, 2027. The reprieve comes after a similar action taken Oct 13 2023 by Governor DeWine for another inmate, Archie J. Dixon, who was previously sentenced to death for his involvement in a brutal murder.
Timothy L. Hoffner
Governor DeWine’s reprieve
Governor DeWine’s claims his decision to issue a reprieve to Archie J. Dixon, and now to Timothy L. Hoffner, stems from the ongoing challenges faced by the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction (DRC) in obtaining the necessary drugs for executions. According to Governor DeWine, pharmaceutical suppliers have been reluctant to provide drugs to the DRC, citing concerns about the safety of Ohioans.
The struggle with pharmaceutical suppliers
The Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction (DRC) protocol requires specific drugs for executions. However, securing these drugs has become increasingly difficult. Pharmaceutical suppliers are hesitant to provide the necessary drugs for execution, fearing backlash from the public and potential damage to their reputation. This unwillingness to supply the drugs has created a roadblock for the DRC, leading to reprieves being issued by Governor DeWine or so he says.
The impact on victims’ families
The ongoing struggle to obtain the necessary drugs for executions not only affects the justice system but also has a profound impact on the families of the victims. The families of the victims have been waiting for justice to be served for years, only to face delays and uncertainty due to these ongoing issues. The emotional toll on the families cannot be understated, as they are forced to relive the trauma of their loved ones’ murder with each reprieve.
The Murder of Christopher Hammer
The story behind the brutal murder of Christopher Hammer is one that shocks the conscience.
According to My Crime Library, Hammer was a friend and former housemate of Archie J. Dixon. On September 22, 1993, Dixon and his partner, Timothy Hoffner, brutally beat Hammer, tied him to a bed, and stole his wallet and car. The duo then drove Hammer to a remote area, where they buried him alive in a shallow grave, leaving him to die a horrific death.
Dixon was subsequently convicted of aggravated murder, aggravated robbery, and kidnapping of Hammer, and was sentenced to death. His partner Hoffner received the same sentence. However, Governor DeWine later issued a reprieve to Dixon, citing the ongoing challenges in acquiring the necessary drugs for executions as the reason.
Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced that the bulk of a $1 million settlement with Dollar General would go to food banks or other hunger-relief organizations in each of the state’s 88 counties.
Under an agreement reached between Yost’s office and Dollar General, $750,000 of the settlement money was distributed to food banks for the purchase and distribution of food and/or personal-care items. Each county auditor chose the beneficiaries in his or her county to receive the funds.
Dollar General, a Tennessee-based discount retail chain with more than 980 stores in Ohio, charged more for some items at the register than the price marked on the shelves, and failed to adjust for the lower price when customers pointed it out.
County auditors conduct inspections at retail businesses to make sure products ring up at the correct price. The Dollar General case originated in Butler County, and many other auditors eventually uncovered similar errors upon inspecting Dollar General stores in their counties.
In addition to monetary relief, the settlement requires Dollar General to make various changes to ensure that its products ring up at the correct price:
It must staff its stores sufficiently to keep shelf tags updated.
If a consumer points out that the register price is higher than the shelf price, the checkout clerk must adjust the price to match the shelf tag; in addition, the shelf tag must corrected within 24 hours.
District managers must conduct random price checks every 45 days.
Stores that receive three “failed” auditors reports within six months must complete a full-store assessment and check the price of every item in the store to ensure accuracy.
The company also must educate all employees about this policy and post signs in its Ohio stores informing customers of the same.
Ohioans who suspect unfair business practices should contact the Ohio Attorney General’s Office at OhioProtects.org or 800-282-0515.
COLUMBUS, Ohio – An Iraqi citizen living in Columbus was sentenced in federal court here today to 178 months in prison for attempting to provide material support to a terrorist organization as part of a plot to murder former United States President George W. Bush.
Shihab Ahmed Shihab Shihab, 53, believed the former President was responsible for killing many Iraqis and breaking apart the entire country of Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom. The defendant’s own life changed during and after the war and he proudly assisted in this plot.
Shihab originally entered the United States in September 2020 and primarily resided in Columbus from December 2020 until his arrest in May 2022. Throughout much of that time, Shihab attempted to provide material support to terrorists in furtherance of a plot to assassinate former President George W. Bush.
Shihab hoped to smuggle at least four Iraqis associated with ISIS into the United States with the goal of completing the assassination. In fact, in the fall of 2021, Shihab believed he successfully smuggled an ISIS member into the United States for a fee of $40,000. Shihab accepted tens of thousands of dollars for the purported smuggling. In reality, the individual was fictitious, and the interaction was coordinated under the direction of the FBI.
In furtherance of the assassination plot, Shihab traveled to Dallas in February 2022 to conduct surveillance of locations associated with the former President. For example, he recorded videos of the front access gate and surrounding area leading into the neighborhood of the former President’s home.
In March 2022, Shihab met with others in a hotel room in Columbus to look at sample firearms and law enforcement uniforms.
Shihab required the use of burner phones, encrypted communication applications and code names as plans evolved.
Shihab was arrested by FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force agents in May 2022. He pleaded guilty in March 2023 to attempting to provide material support to terrorists. Shihab was also sentenced today to a lifetime of supervised release following his prison sentence.
Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Matthew G. Olsen, Assistant Attorney General, Department of Justice, National Security Division; Cheryl Mimura, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division; and Yvonne Dicristoforo, Special Agent in Charge, United States Secret Service, announced the sentence imposed today by U.S. District Judge Michael H. Watson. Deputy Criminal Chief Jessica W. Knight and Trial Attorney Frank Russo from the Department of Justice’s National Security Division are representing the United States in this case.
Staff from the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District (MWCD) recently attended the Ohio Park and Recreation Association (OPRA) annual conference in Sandusky, Ohio. During the conference, the OPRA Annual Awards of Excellence were presented at a banquet hosted by the association on February 6, 2024.
The MWCD was proud to accept a 1st place award in the health and wellness category for a new initiative in 2023, “Capture the Canvas”. The awards are judged by a panel of parks and recreation professionals from around Ohio.
“Parks and recreation professionals throughout Ohio work every day to improve the quality of life of the people they serve,” said OPRA Executive Director Woody Woodward. “This effort is a shining example of that kind of work, and we are pleased to be able to present this award.”
Capture the Canvas was created with the intention to bring artwork to MWCD trails and increase awareness of the trail system. MWCD also sought participation from local schools to strengthen community partnerships and showcase the artwork of area students.
“I am immensely proud of our organization’s dedication to creating and maintaining a trail system throughout the Muskingum Watershed district for the betterment of residents and guests to our area,” said Craig Butler, MWCD Executive Director. “Receiving this award not only recognizes our hard work, but also underscores the profound impact our trails have on communities, recreation, and conservation.”
Once on the trail, users were encouraged to find the canvas, capture a “selfie”, and upload it to the MWCD website for a chance to win one of three prizes including $1,000 cash donated by Encino Energy, a weekend stay a deluxe log cabin at Pleasant Hill Lake Park, and a full-day pontoon rental from an MWCD operated marina. Counters on the trails documented 6,702 people between Memorial Day and Labor Day. The prize winners included Robert Calhoun, Stephanie Brinkman, and Kimberly Kress.
Five high schools created original pieces for this program. The canvases were beautiful pieces of art ranging from nature, birds, bears, and outdoor fantasy.
The MWCD has committed to increase trail accessibility to all people in the coming years by not only building new trails on MWCD property, but also through a partnership with the Buckeye Trail Association. Public surveys and feedback from neighboring communities and park guests have consistently emphasized the importance of trails. The MWCD has invested over a million dollars in trail development over the last five years.
Capture the Canvas 2024 will kick-off on May 24 and conclude on Monday, September 2, 2024. Follow MWCD online at www.mwcd.org and on Facebook and Instagram for more information about how to register and prize opportunities the upcoming promotion.
Photo Award Photo: Woody Woodward, OPRA Executive Director, Eric Stechschulte, Dylan Sayre, Aaron Stump, and Nate Eppink, OPRA Board President
Prize Winner “Selfies” submitted from the promotion: 1st place – Robert Calhoun, 2nd Place- Stephanie Brinkman, 3rd Place- Kimberly Kress
According to Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost, Many job scams promise high pay with minimal effort, but they often result in fraudsters obtaining the job seeker’s personal information or access to their financial accounts. These scams may be advertisements on social media, email or text messages.
Many job scams use fake checks, where scammers send a check to cover equipment cost like a new computer. They instruct you to deposit the check into your bank account and then use a money-transfer service, gift card, or prepaid money card to send the same amount to a “vendor.” The check inevitably bounces, however, which means the money you sent to the fake vendor comes out of your pocket.
Before applying for any job posting, research the company thoroughly. Signs of potential job scams include the following red flags:
The posting includes vague job descriptions and claims you can make hundreds or thousands of dollars doing very little work.
Communication from company representatives uses free or personal email accounts, such as those from gmail.com, yahoo.com, hotmail.com or aol.com.
You’re hired without ever meeting anyone in person.
The company doesn’t have a website.
You receive a check before any work is performed.
You’re asked to wire-transfer money or purchase prepaid money cards.
Common scams include postal scams, mystery shopper scams, and offers for high-paying data entry jobs, often requiring upfront fees or sharing banking information.
Postal scams
Postal scams can be marketed as a convenient work from home opportunity. The job posting will list the job duties as repackaging and/or reshipping items. The compensation for the work is unusually high and even includes shipping costs. This “job” is actually a scam that allows the poster to use the applicant to ship stolen goods without receiving any compensation.
Mystery shopper
An applicant is selected for a “secret shopper” job and receives a check. The first assignment is to deposit the check and then wire-transfer a portion of the money to someone else using the wire-transfer service at a local retail store. In reality, the check the applicant has received is no good, and any money the person sends will be lost.
Running a web-based business
In exchange for an upfront fee from the applicant, a company promises to set up a web-based business that will generate income through advertising revenue or products sold online by other businesses. The claims are false and no money will be generated for the applicant.
High-paying data entry jobs
Scammers often advertise illegitimate data entry jobs. The job description will claim you can earn high wages for minimal work. The job listing may require you to pay up front for job training or equipment. It also may require you to share your banking information prior to employment. If you see a data entry job offering a wage that seems much higher than the market average, investigate the company. Verify the company is posting this position publicly for the wage stated before responding to the job offer.
Job seekers should be sure to research the companies by contacting the Ohio Attorney General’s Office and the local Better Business Bureau. Additionally, search engines can help find reviews by searching the company’s name along with terms such as “complaint,” “scam,” or “review.”
Consumers who need help resolving a complaint against a business, or who suspect a scam or an unfair business practice, should contact the Ohio Attorney General’s Office at www.OhioProtects.org or 800-282-0515.
WASHINGTON ― Arrests by the Drug Enforcement Administration for fentanyl offenses exceeded those for heroin offenses for the first time in fiscal year 2021, according to a new Bureau of Justice Statistics report, Heroin, Fentanyl, and Other Opioid Offenses in Federal Courts, 2021. During FY 2021, the DEA made 3,138 arrests for fentanyl, 2,591 arrests for heroin and 676 arrests for other opioid offenses. From FY 2020 to FY 2021, there was a 36% increase in arrests made by the DEA for fentanyl and a 29% decrease in arrests for heroin.
Oxford Twp – The Sandusky Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating a single vehicle crash that occurred on Saturday February 25, 2024 at approximately 6:10 AM on Mason Road just west of Harris Road in Oxford Township, Erie County.
GALION — The Bucyrus Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating a fatal crash that occurred on February 21, 2024, at approximately 1 1 : 15 p.m. on State Route 97 near Millsboro Road in Polk Township.
UPDATE — February 21 – Bucyrus Post investigating fatal crash on U.S. Route 23 in Wyandot County
Today, Governor DeWine of Ohio has once again issued a reprieve, this time for Timothy L. Hoffner. Hoffner was scheduled to be executed on June 18, 2024, but his execution date has now been moved to July 14, 2027. The reprieve comes after a similar action taken 
Dixon was subsequently convicted of aggravated murder, aggravated robbery, and kidnapping of Hammer, and was sentenced to death. His partner Hoffner received the same sentence. However, Governor DeWine later issued a reprieve to Dixon, citing the ongoing challenges in acquiring the necessary drugs for executions as the reason.
Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced that the bulk of a $1 million settlement with Dollar General would go to food banks or other hunger-relief organizations in each of the state’s 88 counties.
COLUMBUS, Ohio – An Iraqi citizen living in Columbus was sentenced in federal court here today to 178 months in prison for attempting to provide material support to a terrorist organization as part of a plot to murder former United States President George W. Bush.
