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Press Release

Youngstown man pleads guilty to selling heroin that resulted in a fatal overdose, additional gun and drug crimes

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Northern District of Ohio

A Youngstown man pleaded guilty to selling heroin that resulted in a fatal overdose, as well as additional firearms and narcotics crimes, said Carole S. Rendon, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio.

Lebron Charles Bunkley, 37, admitted to selling heroin to a man identified in court documents as J.P. J.P. was found dead in a vacant lot on May 15, still clutching a hypodermic needle in his hands. A search of his cell phone revealed that his last outgoing call was to Bunkley, according to court documents.

Police searched Bunkley’s house and found 286 grams of heroin, 345 grams of powder cocaine, 84 grams of crack cocaine, two firearms and ammunition.

Bunkley pleaded guilty to distribution of heroin, cocaine and crack cocaine, being a felon in possession of firearms and using firearms and ammunition in furtherance of the drug trafficking.

Bunkley is scheduled to be sentenced Feb. 7. The federal sentence guidelines call for a sentence of between 21 and 27 years in prison, according to court documents.

“We will continue to prosecute and seek stiff sentences for dealers who sell heroin that kills our neighbors,” Rendon said. “Aggressive enforcement will remain part of the comprehensive strategy – along with treatment, education and changing prescribing practices – required to combat this epidemic.”

The investigation preceding the indictment was conducted by the Mahoning Valley Law Enforcement Task Force, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The matter is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David M. Toepfer.

Updated November 3, 2016

Topics
Drug Trafficking
Firearms Offenses