Dayton Men Sentenced for Dealing Heroin, Fentanyl that Resulted in User Deaths

DAYTON – Antonio J. Spiva, 25, and Charles M. McBeath, 33, both of Dayton, were sentenced in U.S. District Court this week for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute heroin and fentanyl that resulted in the death of at least two individuals. Each defendant pleaded guilty in January.

Spiva was sentenced yesterday to 180 months in prison and McBeath was sentenced this afternoon to 198 months in prison.

Benjamin C. Glassman, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, Montgomery County Sheriff Phil Plummer, Dayton Police Chief Richard Biehl and other members of the Heroin Eradication Apprehension Team (HEAT) announced the sentences handed down by U.S. District Judge Thomas M. Rose.

Both men were originally indicted by a federal grand jury in December 2015 and have remained in custody since. According to court documents, through late May 2015, McBeath and Spiva distributed heroin, fentanyl and crack cocaine while maintaining operations at residences located on E. Fifth Street, S. Torrence Street and S. Horton Street, all in Dayton. Their distribution of fentanyl resulted in the overdose death of two individuals and the non-fatal overdose of at least three others.

“The sentences handed down in this case should send a clear message about how seriously we are pursuing, and will continue to pursue, the dealers plaguing our communities with opiates,” U.S. Attorney Glassman said.

“Trafficking in opiates is selling death to those that are vulnerable,” Dayton Police Chief Richard Biehl said. “Justice demands accountability for the harm and death that results from these actions.”

“Federal prosecutions that target individuals who distribute heroin and/or synthetic opioids which result in overdose deaths are a top priority of the Drug Enforcement Administration,” Assistant Special Agent in Charge Michael K. Bulgrin said. “This investigation is a great example of how strong partnerships and cooperative efforts among federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies are holding such individuals responsible for the harm they bring to the community.”

The HEAT initiative was announced in May 2015 and includes the U.S. Attorney’s Office, DEA, Dayton Police Department, Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, Montgomery County Coroner’s Office, and the Miami Valley Regional Crime Laboratory. The intent of the task force is to prosecute heroin and fentanyl suppliers who contribute to both fatal and non-fatal overdoses in Montgomery County.

U.S. Attorney Glassman commended the investigation of this case by HEAT, and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sheila G. Lafferty and Dominick S. Gerace, who are prosecuting the case.

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