Twenty people indicted for conspiracy that brought heroin and cocaine to Akron from New York

Twenty people were indicted for their roles in a conspiracy in which kilogram-quantities of heroin and cocaine went from New York to Akron and then were throughout Northeast Ohio by drug dealers, law enforcement officials said.

Named in the 51-count indictment are: Emery Lee, 60, of  Akron; Angel Pichardo-Martinez, 30, of the Bronx, N.Y.; Lesley Pichardo Feliz, 29, of the Bronx, N.Y.; Antoine Dortch, 25, of Akron; Ailyson Clipper, 29, of Akron; Leardrus Burris, 31, of Cuyahoga Falls; Ronnie Johnson, Jr., 44, of Mentor; Larry Smoot, 34, of Akron;   Kyle Ballard, 30, of Akron; Collie Brooks, 51, of Akron; George Locke, Jr., 58, of Akron; Demond Baker, 39, of Akron; Tyrone Allen, 54, of Akron; Rhonda Collins, 46, of Akron; Sharae Ramsey, 25, of Akron; David Robinson, 38, of Akron; Divine Daniels, 24, of Akron; Orlando Reed, 43, of Akron; Reginald Blair, 44, of Akron; and Larry Dixon, 57, of Akron.

The charges include conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute and distribution of cocaine and heroin in Count 1, and with use of a telecommunication facility to facilitate a drug trafficking offense in Counts 15-51. Blair is charged with possession with the intent to distribute heroin in Counts 2 and 3, possession with the intent to distribute cocaine in Count 5 and being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition in Count 12.

Lee is charged with possession with the intent to distribute heroin in Counts 4 and 8, possession with the intent to distribute cocaine in Counts 6, 7, and 9, and being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition in Count 13. Burris is charged possession with the intent to distribute heroin in Count 10 and being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition in Count 11. Collins is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition in Count 14.

Lee obtained heroin and cocaine from Pichardo-Martinez,  Pichardo Feliz  and others. Lee then provided the drugs to others named in the indictment for distribution. This took place dating back to 2010, according to the indictment.

The investigation was conducted by members of the Akron/Summit County HIDTA Initiative, and included assistance by the Summit County Sheriff’s Office,  Akron Police Department, Barberton Police Department, Copley Police Department, Cuyahoga Falls Police Department, New Franklin Police Department, Ohio State Highway Patrol, Reminderville Police Department, Springfield Twp. Police Department, Stow Police Department, Summit County Prosecutor’s Office, Tallmadge Police Department, University of Akron Police Department, Drug Enforcement Administration, and Federal Bureau of Investigation.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Teresa L. Riley.

This investigation has resulted in the recovery of six firearms, a Kevlar vest, ammunition, cocaine, crack cocaine, heroin, and U.S. currency. 

If convicted, the defendants’ sentences 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 violations.  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.