Four Akron men indicted for distributing methamphetamine

Four Akron men were indicted in federal court for their roles in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, law enforcement officals said.

Named in the five-count indictment are: Michael E. Davis, 47; James E. Sanders, 50; Christopher J. Proctor, 50, and Rashaad M. Thomas, 40. All four are charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute more than 500 grams of methamphetamine and possession with the intent to distribute more than 500 grams of methamphetamine. 

Thomas was charged with an additional count of possession with the intent to distribute more than 500 grams of methamphetamine.  Davis and Sanders were also charged with being a felons in possession of a firearm and ammunition.

The investigation was conducted by members of the Akron/Summit County HIDTA Initiative, which includes the Drug Enforcement Administration, Akron Police Department, Ohio State Highway Patrol, Summit County Sheriff’s Office, Summit County Drug Unit, Springfield Township Police Department, Copley Township Police Department, New Franklin Township Police Department, Stow Police Department, Barberton Police Department, Tallmadge Police Department, University of Akron Police Department, Reminderville Police Department, Silver Lake Police Department, Cuyahoga Falls Police Department, and Summit County Prosecutor’s Office. 

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Teresa Riley.

If convicted, the defendants’ sentences will be determined by the Court after review of factors unique to this case, including the defendants’ prior criminal record, if any, the defendants’ 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.