Two Ohio Men Indicted For Crack Cocaine Conspiracy

A three-count indictment was unsealed today charging two Ohio men with conspiracy to distribute and distribution of crack cocaine, said Steven M. Dettelbach, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio.

Richard Scales, age 27, of Windham, Ohio, was arrested today. Mario D. Ervin, age 34, of Warren, Ohio, remains at large.

Count 1 of the indictment charges that in or about November 2012, Ervin and Scales conspired with each other to distribute more than 28 grams of crack cocaine.   As part of the conspiracy, Ervin would supply Scales with crack cocaine for distribution in the Ravenna, Ohio area and elsewhere.

Counts 2 and 3 of the indictment charge Ervin and Scales with distributing more than 28 grams of crack cocaine on or about November 13 and November 19, 2012.

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 and the Portage County Drug Task Force.  The matter is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David M. Toepfer.

An indictment in 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.