Medway Drug Enforcement Agency Releases Info on Raid in Wayne County
“What’s all the FUZZZZZ about??”
On May 11th, 2023 Agents from the MEDWAY Drug Enforcement Agency attempted to serve indictment on 22 people from a drug trafficking investigation in Wayne County. These indictments included Aggravated Trafficking in Methamphetamine, Fentanyl and Fentanyl Related Compounds, Trafficking in Cocaine, and Permitting Drug Abuse. Combined between the 22 people, 92 counts were filed in the indictments. In addition to the indictments, a search warrant was executed at 1474 N Honeytown Rd., Wooster, Wayne County, Ohio, related to Weapons Under Disability violations.
During the execution of the warrant an ambush device was located on an entry door of an outbuilding and was destroyed by SRT team members. Dozens of firearms, thousands of rounds of ammunition and US currency were seized as a result of the search warrant.
Without our partnerships we would not be able to do this, Medway was assisted by members of the, Wooster Police Department and their Community Impact Unit, Wayne County Sheriff Patrol and Corrections division, Ohio State Highway Patrol Special Response Team, Doylestown Police Department-Wayne County, Ohio, Apple Creek Police Department , Smithville Police Department, Orrville Police Department, Wayne County Probation Departments, Creston Police Department, Rittman Police, Village of Shreve Police Dept, Marshallville Police Department, FBI Safe Streets Task Force-Canton Office, and Dalton Police Department.
(COLUMBUS, Ohio) – Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and leaders from the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) and the Ohio Traffic Safety Office (OTSO), a division of The Ohio Department of Public Safety, are encouraged by new data that shows the state’s strengthened distracted driving law is making a positive impact on Ohio’s roadways.
“Ohio’s new law went into effect a little over a month ago, and it’s already making a difference,” said Governor DeWine. “I’m glad to see that Ohio drivers are making safety a priority and putting their phones down while they drive.”
The report from Cambridge Mobile Telematics (CMT), the world’s largest telematics service provider, shows Ohio drivers are now spending less time handling their phones while driving since the law went into effect on April 4, 2023. The law makes it illegal in most cases for drivers to use or hold a cell phone or electronic device. The violation is now considered a primary offense, meaning any officer can pull over a driver immediately if they witness a violation.
CMT’s data analysis shows a 9.1% reduction in distracted driving in Ohio since April 4 has helped prevent 540 crashes, one fatality, and $13 million in economic damages. In March, Ohio drivers spent an average of 1 minute and 39 seconds interacting with their phones for every hour of driving. From April 4 through May 3, Ohio drivers used their phones while driving 1 minute and 30 seconds, a 9-second drop.
“We are pleased that Ohio drivers are taking this new law seriously and beginning to change their behavior, but there is still more work to do,” said Emily Davidson, executive director of the Ohio Traffic Safety Office. “There is no acceptable level of distracted driving. This behavior is dangerous and puts everyone on the road at risk. The goal is for all drivers to put their phones down for the entire time they are behind the wheel.”
“States that pass hands-free laws typically see a decrease in hand-held phone use and crashes. This data shows we’re on the right track to making our streets and highways safer in Ohio,” said Michelle May, manager of ODOT’s Highway Safety Program. “I believe more Ohioans will choose to put their phones downs as they learn about the new law and the dangers of interacting with their screens while driving.”
A public awareness campaign is underway now to teach drivers about the new law. The “Phones Down. It’s The Law.” campaign includes television and radio ads, billboards, social media, and a new website at phonesdown.ohio.gov. The campaign will be active during the law’s 6-month grace period where The Ohio State Highway Patrol and local law enforcement will be issuing warnings as part of the effort to educate drivers. As of May 10 2023, over 2,100 campaign materials have been distributed to traffic safety partners across Ohio.
“We applaud The State of Ohio for their proactive approach to fight distracted driving and save lives on our roads,” said Ryan McMahon, SVP of Strategy for Cambridge Mobile Telematics. “We’ve seen again and again how hands-free legislation raises awareness around the dangers of distraction and helps reduce drivers’ phone use. We’re encouraged by the 9.1% reduction in distraction we’ve seen after one month of the law being implemented in Ohio and are proud to supply road safety planners with the resources and insights needed to evaluate its impact.”
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The Ohio Traffic Safety Office (OTSO), a division of the Ohio Department of Public Safety, focuses on a mission to save lives and reduce injuries on Ohio’s roads by using creative leadership, innovative education, and comprehensive enforcement programs. OTSO strives to work in partnership with local, state and federal entities to advance equity in highway safety programs, ensuring they benefit all road users in Ohio. Last year, OTSO awarded over $22 million in federal funds to 140 Ohio agencies for statewide programming to improve traffic safety and reduce traffic-related fatalities.
Hopewell Township – The Norwalk Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating a serious injury crash that occurred on May 10, 2023 at 3:53 PM. The incident occurred on S Township Road 119 south of Township Road 18 in Hopewell Township, Seneca County.
Sherri Hare, age 67, of McCutchenville, Ohio was driving a 1998 Buick Park Avenue southbound on S Township Road 119. Michael Taylor, age 44, of Tiffin, Ohio was walking with a bicycle southbound on the right pavement edge of S Township Road 119. Ms. Hare’s vehicle struck Mr. Taylor and the bicycle.
Mr. Taylor sustained incapacitating injuries and was flown by Mercy Health Life Flight to St. Vincent Medical Center in Toledo, Ohio. Ms. Hare was wearing a seat belt and was not injured in the crash.
Alcohol and drugs are not suspected as factors in the crash, which remains under investigation.
Assisting at the scene were Bascom Fire & EMS Department, Seneca County Sheriff’s Office, Mercy Health Life Flight, and Reinhart Auto Body.
Marion – Troopers from the Marion Post are investigating a fatal crash that occurred on May 9, 2023, at approximately 9:20 PM, on Prospect Upper Sandusky Road in Marion County.
The crash involved a 2006 Harley Davidson FLHX, driven by Gerald Lyman, age 45, of Prospect, Ohio. The preliminary investigation indicates Mr. Lyman was traveling southeast on Prospect Upper Sandusky Road when a deer entered the roadway.
Mr. Lyman struck the deer, causing the Harley Davidson to overturn. Mr. Lyman was ejected and landed in the roadway. The Harley Davidson traveled off the right side of the roadway, and struck an embankment before coming to rest.
Mr. Lyman was transported by Prospect Township EMS to Marion General Hospital where he was later pronounced deceased. He was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted on scene by the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, Pleasant Township Fire and EMS, Marion Township EMS, Green Camp Fire and EMS, and Ed’s 24 hour Towing and Recovery.
(COLUMBUS, Ohio) — For the first time, the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation has identified some confiscated drugs as “rainbow fentanyl,” the deadly colorful pills designed to resemble candy that drug traffickers are using to drive addiction among young people, Attorney General Dave Yost announced today.
“Do not be fooled by appearances – rainbow fentanyl is death disguised as candy,” Yost said. “The bottom line is this: If you’re taking a pill that wasn’t prescribed by your doctor, you can’t be certain of what you are consuming.”
In a report issued today to the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, BCI’s Drug Chemistry Laboratory said the 1,025 brightly colored pills recently seized by the sheriff’s as part of a Columbus-area drug-trafficking investigation are rainbow fentanyl.
“These particular pills originated in Mexico but were intercepted by the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office before they could be distributed,” Yost said. “A special thanks to Sheriff Baldwin’s Special Investigations Unit – keep up the good work.”
The criminal investigation remains ongoing.
“We’re certainly proud of the diligent work of our Special Investigations Unit and BCI’s lab,” said Chief Deputy Rick Minerd of the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office. “The sad reality is drug traffickers continue to stoop to all-time lows, marketing their deadly products to Americans of all ages for the sole purpose of monetizing addiction.”
BCI has previously identified fentanyl in multiple forms, including colored powders, and in combination with other drugs, in drugs seized during investigations. But this analysis marks the bureau’s first instance of rainbow fentanyl, which the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has warned is a deliberate effort by traffickers to mask deadly fentanyl in a form attractive to young Americans.
The deadly pills have been showing up in many states throughout the country.
Attorney General Yost urges Ohio law enforcement agencies to stay mindful of the hazards posed by fentanyl exposure. Law enforcement officers should use universal precautions and treat all drug evidence as if it were hazardous, as fentanyl exists in multiple forms and is increasingly seen in combination with other drugs.
Local agencies that need additional training or tools to safely identify fentanyl and other substances in the field, Yost said, can reach out to BCI for such resources.
BCI’s Crime Lab remains on the forefront of drug testing for Ohio law enforcement, providing accurate and timely analysis of evidence to agencies at no charge.
In 2022, BCI’s lab identified fentanyl in 9,151 items submitted by law enforcement, making up 22.1% of all drug analyses. Already in 2023, BCI’s lab has processed 2,306 items containing fentanyl.
Additionally, the lab continues to see analogs of fentanyl, including para-flouorfentanyl, which was found in 6.4% of all drug analyses conducted in 2022.
OSHP and ODRC investigation leads to 116-count felony indictment of three suspects following conveyance at numerous state prisons
COLUMBUS – Three suspects have been indicted in the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas on a combined 116 counts of conveyance-related charges after an investigation by troopers from the Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Office of Investigative Services and investigators from the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation & Correction’s Chief Inspector’s Office.
The investigation began on May 28, 2021, when a drone containing contraband was located inside the perimeter fence of the Toledo Correctional Institution. Through the several months-long investigation, troopers and investigators identified three suspects, Robert A. Faulkner, 33, Columbus; Cory A. Sutphin, 28, Grove City; and Charles Gibbs, 33, Sandusky, who were utilizing drones to convey illegal drugs, phones and other contraband onto the grounds of the Toledo, Mansfield, Richland, and Ross correctional institutions, and the North Central Correctional Complex.
As part of the investigation, a search warrant was executed at Faulkner’s Columbus residence on November 16, 2021, where a total of $319,820 worth of illegal drugs, weapons, cell phones and contraband were located and seized. Troopers and investigators believe the contraband was suspected to be used in future conveyance operations at correctional institutions across the state.
On April 7, 2023, Faulkner (60 felony counts), Sutphin (26 felony counts) and Gibbs (30 felony counts) were indicted. The indictment included engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, trafficking and possession of cocaine and a fentanyl-related compound, possession of criminal tools, aggravated possession of drugs, and having weapons under disability.
If convicted, Faulkner could face a maximum of 142 years in prison; Sutphin could face a maximum of 69 years in prison; and Gibbs could face a maximum of 83 years and six months in prison.
(COLUMBUS, Ohio) — On a day set aside to raise awareness nationally about fentanyl-related overdose deaths, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost released data from the Bureau of Criminal Investigation’s laboratory highlighting the ongoing prevalence of the synthetic opioid in Ohio.
“Illegal use of fentanyl continues to wreck Ohioans’ lives, causing addiction and death,” Yost said. “Unless the pills you’re taking were prescribed by your doctor, you can’t be sure what it is – don’t risk it.”
Three years ago, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) established May 7 as National Fentanyl Awareness Day, an effort to educate Americans about the public health crisis that illegal fentanyl poses and engage them in the fight to prevent more tragic deaths.
Last year alone, the DEA says, more than 70,000 Americans fatally overdosed on illegally made fentanyl. In Ohio in 2023, the total number of fentanyl-related opioid deaths was 3,579, according to Yost’s Scientific Committee on Opioid Overdose and Prevention Education (SCOPE), which monitors such deaths statewide using Ohio Department of Health data.
Those 3,579 deaths represent 98% of the 3,651 overall opioid fatalities in Ohio last year — reinforcing the breadth of the state’s challenge with illegal fentanyl.
“These numbers are frightening if you look at them as numbers,” Yost added. “They are heartbreaking when you realize they were someone’s loved ones.”
Fentanyl update
As the largest criminal drug lab in the state, BCI’s laboratory tests a majority, but not all, of the drug evidence seized by law enforcement agencies in Ohio.
The BCI lab continues to process a high number of cases involving fentanyl, which in the first quarter of 2024 was the second-most-often identified substance in drug-evidence samples (after only methamphetamine). Since 2018, fentanyl has posed an increasingly larger public threat than heroin, whose prevalence has steadily declined in recent years.
Fentanyl is manufactured for doctors to control patients’ pain within a controlled environment. When fentanyl is illicitly manufactured in clandestine laboratories and mixed with other substances by drug traffickers — and/or used recreationally — it can be lethal.
Illicitly manufactured fentanyl often contains forms of fentanyl whose structure is chemically modified, making their potency and toxicity unknown. To date, BCI has identified at least 33 distinct versions of chemically modified fentanyl.
Fentanyl can be found in many forms, including pills and powder, and is often combined by traffickers with heroin, cocaine and/or other drugs. When consumed, complex mixtures of drugs can create dangerous interactions in the body, amplifying the danger. One sample recently analyzed by BCI contained 11 controlled substances.
Carfentanil update
Carfentanil, a fentanyl analogue that is roughly 100 times more potent than fentanyl and 10,000 times more potent than morphine, continues its ongoing presence in Ohio.
The drug was first detected in Ohio drug samples in 2016 and caused a spike in overdoses in 2017. Five years later, the public threat posed by carfentanil seemed to be abating, with BCI’s lab identifying the drug in only five samples in all of 2022.
In September of last year, however, AG Yost issued a warning about an uptick in carfentanil prevalence. Since Oct. 23, the BCI lab has identified a combined 36 items containing carfentanil in 14 counties, with the majority of those seized in northeastern Ohio.
Carfentanil is often found with other drugs and has been identified in market tablets and powders, including those similar in appearance to materials used to manufacture oxycodone tablets.
Safety
If you believe you have been exposed to fentanyl or carfentanil, you should seek immediate medical attention and notify law enforcement.
Law enforcement officers and first responders should wear proper personal protective equipment and use caution in handling evidence suspected of containing carfentanil or any fentanyl-related substance, particularly in cases where an overdose has occurred.
CLYDE – The Ohio State Highway Patrol Fremont Post is currently investigating a single engine plane crash that occurred in a field approximately one-half mile northeast of the Sandusky County Regional Airport. The crash occurred today, May 6th, at approximately 12:57 pm.
Richard S. Hines, 69, of Port Clinton was piloting a 1964 Piper PA-28-140 Cherokee when he experienced engine problems and crashed in a field while attempting to return to the airport. Hines sustained serious injuries and was transported to Saint Vincent’s Medical Center by air ambulance and is in stable condition.
The Fremont Post was assisted on scene by the Clyde Fire Department, Sandusky County Sheriff’s Office, Clyde EMS, Sandusky County Life Squad 15 and Mercy Health Life Flight.
The FAA has been notified and the crash remains under investigation at this time.
UPDATE: Jonathon Jones and recovery of Kaitlyn Coones.
Jones was arrested and Coones recovered in Ahumada, Chihuahua, Mexico
Cleveland, Ohio – The U.S. Marshals Service Missing Child Unit (MCU) and Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force (NOVFTF) are investigating the whereabouts of Jonathan Jones (33) and Kaitlyn Coones (17). Jones is wanted by the Wood County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) for pandering obscene material and child endangerment and Coones is a reported endangered missing child from Canton, OH.
Jonathan Jones (33)
Coones was reported missing to Canton Police on April 11, 2023. The NOVFTF and MCU have been working with the WCSO and Canton Police to arrest Jones and recover Coones. They are believed to be together and last seen near the Mexican border in Arizona.
Jones is a white male, 5’10” and 170 lbs with blonde hair and blue eyes. Coones is a white female, 5’3” and 200 lbs with brown hair and green eyes. Anyone with information on the whereabouts of either of these individuals are encouraged to call the US Marshals Service. Callers may remain anonymous and are subject to a cash reward for information leading directly to an arrest or recovery.
(LONDON, Ohio) — Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost, members of the Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission, and law enforcement officers from throughout the state paid tribute today to eight Ohio peace officers– eight heroes – who died in the line of duty in the past several years.
“Each of them defended our society and its values against those who seek to steal, kill and destroy,” Yost said during his remarks at the 35th annual Ohio Peace Officers Memorial Ceremony in London. “And everything we have today is here because they safeguarded these things with their lives.
“In return,” the attorney general continued, “we promise them, ‘You will not be forgotten.’ And we carve that promise in stone, as you can see in this great ‘Circle of Heroes.’ ”
The Circle of Heroes was a reference to the Ohio Fallen Officers Memorial Wall – a solemn and sacred presence on the grounds of the Ohio Peace Officers Training Academy – which bears the names of all 829 Ohio peace officers who since 1823 have sacrificed their lives in service to the public.
“The promise that we make to fallen officers – to keep their memories alive – is not only for them,” Yost said. “We do it for the officers and deputies who stand and serve now. We do this so that all of them know how much we value them, and their mission, and their courage.”
The names of 15 heroes were added to the wall this year, including eight who died in 2022, 2021 or 2020. The other seven are historical honorees, including six Dayton police officers who died of the Spanish flu in the early 1900s.
The eight officers lost in recent years and honored today are:
Kin
Deputy Daniel J. Kin, Wyandot County Sheriff’s Office
On Dec. 15, 2022, Deputy Kin was transporting a prisoner from southern Ohio to the county courthouse in Wyandot when he was fatally injured in a crash. Deputy Kin was flown to Grant Medical Center in Columbus, where he died of his injuries. He was 34 and had been with the department for less than a year, but his colleagues remember him as someone who loved the job – and showed it with his infectious smile. He was voted Deputy of the Year in 2020 by his previous employer, the Seneca County Sheriff’s Office. Deputy Kin is remembered by his wife of six years, Erin, and their two young boys.
Yates
Deputy Matthew E. Yates, Clark County Sheriff’s Office
On July 24, 2022, Deputy Yates was responding to a report of gunshots at a Springfield area mobile home park. A woman had been killed by her son, and, as deputies entered the mobile home, they were met with gunfire. Deputy Yates, a member of the Special Operations team, was hit and went down. He was 41 years old, a second-generation law enforcement officer who enjoyed working with young people and was involved in a local group called Peace Keepers. Yates is remembered by his wife, Tracy, and their three children.
Francis
Officer Dominic M. Francis, Bluffton Police Department
On March 31, 2022, a stolen car being pursued by Ohio state troopers struck and killed Officer Francis as he was deploying tire-puncturing stop strips. Officer Francis was 42 and had worked in law enforcement for 19 years. He had twice been named Officer of the Year and had received the Chief’s Leadership Award and the Life-Saving Award. He’d been honored as Top Cop by Mothers Against Drunk Drivers and earned the Ohio EMS Star of Life multiple times. Outside of police work, Officer Francis served as a volunteer firefighter and worked as a coach, substitute teacher and bus driver for Cory-Rawson High School, his alma mater. He also had a special fondness for helping the school’s softball coach – Ricki Francis, his wife since 2010. Besides his wife, he is remembered by a son and a daughter.
Stayrook
Agent John D. Stayrook, Medina County Drug Task Force
Agent Stayrook died on Feb. 6, 2022, after contracting COVID-19 while assisting the Brunswick Division of Police a month earlier during a drug-related traffic stop. Agent Stayrook, 60, had found his way to law enforcement later in life, after a career in construction that had taken him all over the country. His fellow task force members remember him as someone who was passionate about the drug-enforcement specialization and had a unique talent for interviewing. Agent Stayrook loved camping and spending time with his family. He is remembered by his wife, Pamela; two children; and two grandchildren.
VanDenberg
Patrolman Sean E. VanDenberg, Lawrence Twp. Police Department
Patrolman VanDenberg died on Dec. 25, 2021, after a weeks-long battle with COVID-19, which he contracted after arresting a man and transporting him to jail. The suspect had complained of being sick and showed symptoms of COVID. Patrolman VanDenberg, who was 53, had chased his dream of becoming a police officer after a career as a mechanic, welder and fabricator – entering the Stark State College Law Enforcement Academy at age 44. His colleagues remember him as the “dad” of the department. He loved cycling, running and scuba diving, and had completed his first ultra-marathon just six months before his death. He is remembered by his wife, Jeanann; their four children; and three grandchildren.
Mills
Deputy Robert “Craig” Mills, Butler County Sheriff’s Office
Deputy Mills retired in June 2019 after more than 30 years in law enforcement, only to return several months later to the work he enjoyed at the urging of Sheriff Richard Jones. He died on Sept. 12, 2021, after a long struggle with COVID-19. His colleagues remember his excellent ability to find people named in warrants, noting how other agencies would seek him out for that expertise. Deputy Mills was passionate about baseball, having played on the Detroit Tigers Triple-A team from 1982 to 1987. Mills’ mentorship of young athletes prompted the Hamilton City Council to name the street leading to a local baseball complex in his honor. He is remembered by his wife, Anne, and two children.
stewart
Officer Edward L. Stewart, Akron Police Department
On Feb. 12, 2021, Officer Stewart died at age 60 after fighting COVID-19 for two months. Officer Stewart, an Air Force veteran, chose to serve his entire 27-year law enforcement career as a transport wagon officer for the Akron Police Department. His colleagues remember his unquenchable thirst for knowledge and his photographic memory – a gift that aided the police department in its case work. More than anything else, though, his fellow officers will never forget his abundant compassion. Officer Stewart is remembered by his wife, Lisa; two sons; and two grandsons.
Jones
Officer Kenneth C. Jones, Akron Police Department
Officer Jones died of a heart attack on Nov. 7, 2020, the day after he began feeling chest pains while responding to a domestic-assault call. Jones was 55 and had served with the Akron Police Department for 26 years, the vast majority of the time in the patrol division. His colleagues remember him as a “gentle giant” whose calmness had a way of defusing tense situations on the job. His loved ones said he was a kid at heart who enjoyed Marvel comics, Star Wars movies and amusement parks. He is remembered by his wife, Stacy, whom he had married just six weeks before his death, and three children.
The seven historical additions to the memorial wall are:
Perry County Deputy Herbert Minshull, who was shot and killed in 1945 while attempting to serve a warrant.
Six Dayton police officers who died of the Spanish flu contracted while on duty between 1918 and 1920: Troy E. Sine, Clement L. Francis, Emerson Glotfelter, Vinton E. Harsh, Edward M. Hennessey and Lawrence R. Graham.
“Unlike criminals and road hazards, viruses are silent and invisible – and strike from within,” AG Yost said at the ceremony. “This is a reminder that officers face more dangers than criminal violence and traffic accidents.”
Ceremonial units from many Ohio law enforcement agencies participated in today’s event, with a rider-less horse provided by the Columbus Division of Police serving as a powerful symbol of the lives lost.
For more information on each officer’s life and legacy and/or to hear from their respective departments, visit the Fallen Officers Memorial webpage on the website of the Ohio Attorney General’s Office.
Joe Lyons •
May 12, 2023
Hopewell Township – The Norwalk Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating a serious injury crash that occurred on May 10, 2023 at 3:53 PM. The incident occurred on S Township Road 119 south of Township Road 18 in Hopewell Township, Seneca County.
Marion – Troopers from the Marion Post are investigating a fatal crash that occurred on May 9, 2023, at approximately 9:20 PM, on Prospect Upper Sandusky Road in Marion County.
(COLUMBUS, Ohio) — For the first time, the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation has identified some confiscated drugs as “rainbow fentanyl,” the deadly colorful pills designed to resemble candy that drug traffickers are using to drive addiction among young people, Attorney General Dave Yost announced today.
Coones was reported missing to Canton Police on April 11, 2023. The NOVFTF and MCU have been working with the WCSO and Canton Police to arrest Jones and recover Coones. They are believed to be together and last seen near the Mexican border in Arizona.
Deputy Daniel J. Kin, Wyandot County Sheriff’s Office
Deputy Matthew E. Yates, Clark County Sheriff’s Office
Officer Dominic M. Francis, Bluffton Police Department
Agent John D. Stayrook, Medina County Drug Task Force
Patrolman Sean E. VanDenberg, Lawrence Twp. Police Department
Deputy Robert “Craig” Mills, Butler County Sheriff’s Office
Officer Edward L. Stewart, Akron Police Department
Officer Kenneth C. Jones, Akron Police Department