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Date: 04-22-2022
Case Style:
Case Number: 1:21-cr-00284-JRA
Judge:
Court: United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio (Cuyahoga County)
Plaintiff's Attorney: United States Attorney’s Office
Defendant's Attorney: Tom Shaughnessy
Description: Cleveland,Ohio criminal defense lawyer represented defendant charged with possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, felon in possession of a firearm, distribution of crack cocaine and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, phenyl fentanyl, alprazolam, methamphetamine, oxymorphone, cocaine and heroin.
According to court documents, on October 15, 2020, Narcotics Detectives with the Lorain Police Department conducted a controlled purchase of crack cocaine from Demarea L. Stafford, age 40, of Lorain, Ohio, after receiving information concerning his involvement in suspected drug trafficking activity. Later, on December 12, 2020, while the investigation was ongoing, Lorain Police officers responded to an apartment building for reports of a domestic argument with multiple shots fired.
When police arrived, they encountered the suspected gunman, later identified as Stafford, who immediately fled from officers on foot. During the pursuit, police heard a single gunshot and subsequently located and arrested Stafford. After the arrest, police searched the area and located a firearm, a black bag and a digital scale. Inside the bag, officers found considerable quantities of drugs.
Officers further investigated the incident and, through witness accounts and dashcam footage, were able to determine that Stafford had been in possession of the firearm and the black bag containing the narcotics. Stafford is prohibited from possessing a firearm due to previous convictions of drug trafficking, improper discharge of a firearm, and felonious assault in the Lorain and Cuyahoga County Courts of Common Pleas.
This case was investigated by the Lorain Police Department and the FBI. This case is part of Operation Synthetic Opioid Surge (S.O.S.)., which seeks to reduce the supply of deadly synthetic opioids and to identify wholesale distribution networks and international and domestic suppliers in Lorain County.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert J. Kolansky.
21:841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(C) Distribution of Cocaine Base
(1)
21:841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(C) Possession with Intent to Distribute Controlled Substances
(2)
21:841(a)(1) and (b)(2) Possession with Intent to Distribute Controlled Substances
(3)
21:841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(C) Possession with Intent to Distribute Controlled Substances
(4-8)
18:922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2) Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition
(9)
18:924(c)(1)(A)(i) Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime
(10)
Outcome: Sentenced to the Bureau of Prisons for a term of 78 months as to Counts 1-9 concurrent with each other, 60 months as to Count 10 consecutive and with credit for federal time served. Supervised release for a term of 8 year as to Counts 1-8, 3 years as to Count 9, and 5 years as to Count 10 all concurrent with conditions. Special assessment of $1,000.00. Fine waived. Forfeiture.
Plaintiff's Experts:
Defendant's Experts:
Comments: