Canton Defendant Sentenced on Racketeering and Drug Trafficking Charges

AKRON – Justin Bush, 35, of Canton, Ohio, was sentenced to 96 months imprisonment on Wednesday, May 31, 2023 by U.S. District Judge Sara Lioi after he pleaded guilty to racketeering conspiracy, conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute narcotics, and to distributing narcotics. Bush was also ordered to pay a $300 Special Assessment and serve 3 years of supervised release after release from imprisonment.

According to court documents, Bush was a member of the Shorb Blocc gang that was responsible for violent street crimes including shootings and robberies as well as drug distribution in Canton, Ohio for much of the last decade. Bush was a long-term member of the Shorb Blocc gang and took part in criminal activities supporting the gang such as shooting at rival gang members and selling narcotics, specifically fentanyl.

The investigation was conducted by the Canton Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Robert Corts, Vasile Katsaros and Toni Beth Schnellinger Feisthamel.