Seven people indicted for conspiracy to distribute heroin, fentanyl, cocaine and crack cocaine around Youngstown and Girard, Ohio, and Farrell, Pennsylvania

Seven people were indicted in federal court for their roles in a conspiracy to distribute heroin, fentanyl, cocaine and crack cocaine around Youngstown and Girard, Ohio, and Farrell, Pennsylvania, said U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman and DEA Special Agent in Charge Timothy Plancon.

Named in the 39-count indictment are: Cedis R. Martin, 31, of Warren; Zachary E. Bradford, 36, of Girard; Adham Aburhma, 23, of Youngstown; Prentice Miller, 29, of Grove City, Penn.; Eric Murray, 31, of Farrell, Penn.; Ashley Allison, 31, of Grove City, Penn., and Amanda Walker, 23, of New Castle, Penn.

All seven defendants conspired from February 2015 through this April to possess with the intent to distribute and to distribute fentanyl, heroin, cocaine and crack cocaine, according to the indictment.

According to the indictment:

Martin supplied cocaine to Murray for distribution in Youngstown, Ohio, and Farrell, Pennsylvania areas; supplied heroin to Bradford and Miller for distribution in the Youngstown, Ohio and Farrell, Pennsylvania areas; and supplied fentanyl to Aburahma for distribution in the Youngstown, Ohio and Farrell, Pennsylvania areas.

Allison and Walker transported heroin from suppliers to Martin for distribution.

It was further part of the conspiracy that cellular telephones, code words and phrases were used by the co-conspirators to facilitate their drug trafficking activities.

If convicted, the defendants’ sentences 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 violations.  In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and, in most cases, it will be less than the maximum.

The investigation preceding the indictment was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Girard Police Department and the Pennsylvania State Police.  The matter is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David M. Toepfer.

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.