Press Release
Cleveland Man Found Guilty of Drug Trafficking and Firearms Possession
For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Northern District of Ohio
CLEVELAND – William Sims, 45, of Cleveland, Ohio, was found guilty on Monday of all seven drug trafficking and firearms charges against him after a five-day trial by jury before U.S. District Court Judge Dan Aaron Polster. The charges included possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, crack, fentanyl, fluorofentanyl, cocaine, and heroin, as well as being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition and possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
According to court documents and testimony, on November 26, 2021, after completing controlled purchases of crack cocaine from William Sims during the prior week, Cleveland Police detectives executed a search warrant on Sims’ home. During the search, detectives found Sims in possession of approximately 154.5 grams of methamphetamine, approximately 124.51 grams of crack cocaine, approximately 78.59 grams of fluorofentanyl and fentanyl, as well as numerous mixtures containing other narcotics like cocaine and heroin. The majority of the drugs were found in Sims’ bedroom, in close proximity with two loaded firearms and ammunition found under Sims’ bed.
Sims is prohibited from possessing firearms due to prior felony convictions.
Sentencing is scheduled for November 2, 2023. Sims faces a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years in prison, although his sentence will be determined by many factors and may be higher than the mandatory minimum. The judge will determine the appropriate sentence after considering the sentencing guidelines and other factors.
This case was investigated by the Cleveland Police Department, and First District Detective Ryan McNamara and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Payum Doroodian and Alejandro Abreu.
Contact
Thomas Weldon
Thomas.Weldon@usdoj.gov
(216) 622-3651
Updated July 19, 2023
Topics
Drug Trafficking
Firearms Offenses
Component