Lorain County and federal law enforcement work together to combat violent crime and drug trafficking

Several indictments regarding drug trafficking and firearms crimes in Lorain County were recently unsealed in federal court as part of an ongoing coordinated enforcement initiative, law enforcement officials said.

The indictments were announced by U.S. Attorney Steven M. Dettelbach, Lorain County Prosecutor Dennis Will, Elyria Police Chief Duane Whitely, Lorain Police Chief Cel Rivera, Lorain County Sheriff Phil Stammitti, Drug Enforcement Administration Resident Agent in Charge Keith Martin, ATF Special Agent in Charge Donald J. Soranno and Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge Steven D. Anthony and the Lorain County Sheriff’s Drug Task Force.

Cases recently filed include:

Jason Vasquez, 37 of Lorain, was charged in a seven-count indictment with conspiracy to distribute heroin. He also faces charges for possessing a firearm and ammunition despite previous convictions for drug trafficking, felonious assault and intimidation. Vasquez is believed to be a major source of heroin and fentanyl in the Lorain County area.

Anetaeus Spencer, 33, of Lorain, was charged with one count of being a felon in possession of ammunition and several firearms, namely: a Rohm Arms 7.62 x 39 mm. rifle, a Taurus “Judge” .45LC/410GA revolver, a Smith and Wesson pistol, a Keltec .380 handgun and a Mossberg 12 gage shotgun. He was previously convicted of felony offenses which would prohibit him from possessing a firearm and ammunition. Spencer also sold quantities of crack and heroin, and had several thousand dollars on his person at the time of his arrest, according to the indictment.

Octavious Smith, 37, of Elyria, was indicted for possessing a 9 mm firearm and distributing heroin and crack cocaine in Lorain County. Smith was previously convicted of felony offenses which would prohibit him from possessing a firearm and ammunition.

Calvin L. Williams, 32, of Elyria, was indicted on one count of being a felon in possession of a weapon, namely a Glock 9 mm handgun. Williams also has pending state drug cases and was previously convicted of felony offenses which would prohibit him from possessing a firearm or ammunition.

Steve J. Hamilton, 24, of Lorain, was indicted on one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm, namely a Heritage MFG “Rough Rider” .22-caliber revolver.  Hamilton was previously convicted of felony offenses which would prohibit him from possessing a firearm and ammunition.

These indictments are just the latest in the continuing efforts of the United States Attorney’s Office to work with local partners Lorain County to ensure those who repeatedly violate gun and drug laws in Lorain County are held accountable.

“These defendants’ days of selling drugs on the streets of Elyria and Lorain, or carrying firearms despite prior felony convictions, are over,” Dettelbach said. “These cases are a great example of what happens when agencies and departments combine their resources and expertise to work together. We will build off these successes and work to keep Lorain County safe.”

In prior cases the United States Attorney’s Office has prosecuted multiple Lorain County residents who ran afoul of gun and drug laws in cooperation with local law enforcement. These previous cases include:

Jeremy Mack, 38, of Elyria, was sentenced to life in prison after a jury convicted him of human trafficking, drug crimes and obstruction of justice.

Siarres Noble, 29, of Elyria was sentenced to 20 years in prison for distributing heroin and fentanyl, including fentanyl that caused the death of an Elyria resident last year.

John H. Allen, 49, of Lorain, was sentenced to more than 17 years in prison after being convicted of possession with the intent to distribute PCP and being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Anthony Paul Montoy, 40, and Fred Alston, 60, both of Elyria, were convicted of conspiracy to distribute kilograms of cocaine in the Lorain County area.  Montoy was sentenced to 11 years in federal prison and Alston was sentenced to 8 years in federal prison.

Jerry Wells, 34, of Elyria, recently pleaded guilty to possession with the intent to distribute heroin, MDMA, marijuana and being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. Wells was previously convicted of felony offenses which prohibited him from possessing a firearm and ammunition. He is awaiting sentencing.

Quentin Jackson, 24, of Elyria was recently convicted of felon in possession of a firearm. His sentencing is pending.

If convicted, each defendant’s sentence will be determined by the court after review of factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, the defendant’s 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.

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt.  A defendant is entitled to a fair trial, in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.