Press Release
Cleveland man suspected of causing overdoses indicted for having a firearm while trafficking fentanyl and crack cocaine
For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Northern District of Ohio
A Cleveland man was indicted for having a firearm while trafficking fentanyl and crack cocaine.
Tyler Hall, 28, was indicted on two counts of possession with intent to distribute narcotics and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Hall had 1.46 grams of fentanyl, 22 grams of crack cocaine and a Walther 9 mm semiautomatic pistol during a July 3 search of his home and business on the west side of Cleveland, according to court documents.
Hall was a person of interest in relation to three non-fatal opioid overdoses. Two of the victims had information that their supplier’s name was Tyler and that he worked, resided and sold drugs in the area of West 104th Street and Lorain Avenue, according to court documents.
Law enforcement on July 3 searched Hall’s residence at 10400 Lorain Ave. and business, at auto body shop at 3179 West 104th Street. Hall was detained and found to be carrying two cellular phones, $1,152 in cash and a set of keys to both his residence and business, according to court documents.
Inside his residence was a desk where it appeared drugs were prepared and packaged for sale. Also nearby were 1.46 grams of fentanyl, 22 grams of crack cocaine, a Walther 9 mm semiautomatic pistol and approximately $6,000 in cash, according to court documents.
Hall was prohibited from having a firearm because of previous felony convictions, including for aggravated robbery, robbery, intimidation of a crime victim or witness and multiple drug trafficking and possession convictions, according to court documents.
“This defendant was identified by law enforcement as a serious threat who has caused pain and destruction in and around his neighborhood,” U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman said. “Police officers, federal agents and prosecutors will continue to work together to prosecute those who illegally have firearms and deal drugs.”
DEA Special Agent in Charge Timothy Plancon said: “Through the swift and intense investigative efforts of the Cleveland Division of Police Opioid Overdose Investigations Group, the Cleveland DEA Heroin Response Group and Cleveland HIDTA, Hall was arrested before additional destruction to our community could occur. The DEA and our partners will continue to make drug trafficking and any associated violence a priority. Drug traffickers in the Cleveland area take heed, the DEA and our partners will continue to hold those who deliver causing overdose accountable.”
If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the Court after reviewing 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.
This case was investigated by the Cleveland Division of Police, Drug Enforcement Administration and Ohio High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA). It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Elliot Morrison.
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Contact
Mike Tobin
216.622.3651
michael.tobin@usdoj.gov
Updated July 25, 2018
Topics
Drug Trafficking
Opioids
Firearms Offenses
Component