Federal authorities have announced charges against 11 individuals in connection with a drug trafficking organization operating in Cuyahoga County and surrounding areas. The indictment, unsealed on December 3, alleges that the group distributed fentanyl, oxycodone, alprazolam pills, methamphetamine, and cocaine from August 2023 to April 2024.
According to officials, the organization operated primarily throughout Greater Cleveland. Significant activity occurred at an apartment complex in Euclid. The group is accused of collecting money and drugs from various people and transporting them between Ohio, Michigan, and Pennsylvania.
The announcement was made by United States Attorney David M. Toepfer for the Northern District of Ohio and Special Agent in Charge Joseph O. Dixon of the DEA Detroit Field Division.
The defendants named in the indictment are all from Cleveland unless otherwise noted:
– Dionte Dykes (also known as Dots), 31: Charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances; distribution of fentanyl; distribution of cocaine; felon in possession of a firearm; use of a communications facility to facilitate a felony drug offense.
– Javian Hearns (also known as Skeens), 34: Charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances; distribution of fentanyl.
– Clarence Jackson (also known as Cino), 33: Charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances; distribution of methamphetamine; distribution of fentanyl.
– Trevaughn Bassett, 26: Charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances; distribution of fentanyl.
– Michael Chambers (also known as Do-Do), 26: Charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances; distribution of methamphetamine.
– Akia Bailey (also known as Ky Free), 32: Charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances; distribution of fentanyl and oxycodone.
– Raveona Carter, 30, of Detroit: Charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances; use of a communications facility to facilitate a felony drug offense.
– Keith Dykes (also known as Beefy), 29: Charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances; distribution of cocaine; use of a communications facility to facilitate a felony drug offense.
– Robert Avery (also known as Black), 31: Charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances; distribution of cocaine; use of a communications facility to facilitate a felony drug offense.
– Liam Walsh, 36: Charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances; use of a communications facility to facilitate a felony drug offense.
– Amber Slone, 32: Charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances; possession with intent to distribute cocaine; use of a communications facility to facilitate a felony drug offense.
If convicted, sentencing for each defendant will be determined by the court based on factors such as criminal history, role in the offenses committed, case-specific details about the violations involved, statutory maximums for each charge type—which set upper limits on sentences—but most sentences are expected not exceed those maximums.
The investigation was led by the Drug Enforcement Administration along with local police departments from Euclid, Independence, Mayfield Heights Department, SPAN Narcotics Unit. Assistant United States Attorney Margaret A. Sweeney is prosecuting the case for the Northern District Of Ohio. The U.S. Marshals Service also provided support during this initiative.
Officials emphasize that “an indictment is merely an allegation” adding that “all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt in court.”
