Cleveland Heights man charged for marijuana trafficking conspiracy, making threats

A federal Grand Jury returned a five-count indictment charging Cleveland Heights with conspiring to distribute marijuana and sending extortionate threats, U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman said. 

Kitroy Brian Buchanan, 34, conspired with others to receive by mail bulk quantities of marijuana from California and other states between August and December 2017. He then delivered the marijuana to others, according to others.

Buchanan also attempted to extort a parcel from Washington state addressed to a residence in South Euclid through a series of threats, including threats of kidnapping, according to the indictment.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Elliot Morrison is prosecuting the case following an investigation by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.

If convicted, the 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.