Federal authorities have indicted four individuals in connection with a large-scale methamphetamine and fentanyl trafficking operation that allegedly spanned from Mexico to Ohio. The indictment, unsealed on December 9, was announced by United States Attorney David M. Toepfer for the Northern District of Ohio and Special Agent in Charge Greg Nelsen of the FBI Cleveland Division.
According to court documents, Calvin Locke, also known as Uncle or Tio, is accused of selling narcotics to redistributors across northern Ohio between February 2023 and August 2024. Prosecutors allege that Locke used a business entity called Locke and Goldstein to launder drug proceeds. Josue Melendez, known as Jay or Bananas, reportedly facilitated multi-kilogram shipments of methamphetamine from Sonora, Mexico. Carlos Escareno, referred to as J, allegedly acted as a courier transporting large quantities of drugs from Arizona into Ohio. Shamese Maddox is identified as Locke’s supplier for fentanyl.
The charges include conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl, attempted possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, money laundering, and distribution of fentanyl.
“If convicted, each defendant’s sentence will be determined by the Court after review of factors unique to the case, including each defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, their role in the offense, and the characteristics of the violation. In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum, and, in most cases, it will be less than the maximum,” according to information released by federal prosecutors.
The investigation was led by the FBI Cleveland Division along with several local law enforcement agencies participating in the Cartel, Gang, Narcotics and Laundering Task Force. These agencies include the Cleveland Division of Police; North Royalton Police Department; Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Department; Brooklyn (Ohio) Police Department; Ohio State Highway Patrol; Ottawa County Prosecutor’s Office; Ohio Bureau of Crime Investigations; Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority Police; IRS-Criminal Investigations; and support from U.S. Marshals.
Assistant United States Attorney Elizabeth Crook is handling prosecution for this case.
Authorities emphasized: “An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.”
