(ASHLAND, Ohio)— Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine, Ashland County Prosecutor Christopher Tunnell, Ashland County Sheriff E. Wayne Risner, the Medina County Drug Task Force, and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) announced today that eight individuals have been indicted in connection with a drug trafficking organization operating in Ashland, Medina, and Wayne counties.
Among the 116 total charges filed against the suspects, six individuals are accused of engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity relating to the sale of heroin and cocaine, including heroin in pill form.
Prosecutors with Ashland County Prosecutor's Office and Attorney General DeWine's Special Prosecutions Section presented the case to an Ashland County grand jury on Friday, and several arrests were made today. The investigation was led by investigators with the Medina County Drug Task Force, Ashland County Sheriff's Office, and DEA operating as part of an Ohio Attorney General's Ohio Organized Crime Investigations Commission (OOCIC) task force.
Authorities began investigating the case after receiving information that the alleged ringleader of the operation, Richard Lawless, 48, of Polk, was trafficking drugs in the tri-county area. Authorities served multiple search warrants and conducted several controlled buys in connection with the case, uncovering heroin, cocaine, prescription drugs, and marijuana with a combined estimated street value of more than $1 million. Authorities also seized cash, illegally-owned guns, and items used to make heroin in pill form.
"Heroin abuse and addiction are at epidemic levels in Ohio and across the country, and state, local, and federal law enforcement are working hard to make sure traffickers don't get away with pushing this deadly drug," said Attorney General DeWine. "The fact that some members of this operation were not only selling heroin, but also disguising it in the form of a pill is especially concerning."
"The investigation and resulting indictments in this case are an excellent representation of the cooperation between various law enforcement agencies to protect the public from what is clearly a threat to our community," said Ashland County Prosecutor Christopher Tunnell.
"Richard Lawless has been a menace to the area for a number of years," said Medina County Drug Task Force Commander Gary Hubbard. "The collaboration between local, state and federal authorities was paramount in the significant criminal charges that Richard Lawless and his associates are facing."
"This is one of the most extensive drug investigations that I've been involved with at the Ashland County Sheriff's Office, and it is unbelievable the amount of heroin and cocaine that this drug trafficking organization brought into this area," said Ashland County Chief Deputy Carl L. Richert II. "I am very proud to have worked with local, state, and federal law enforcement to get Richard Lawless and the group that runs with him off the streets."
“This is another example of the outstanding partnerships between federal, state, county and local law enforcement agencies and the investigative work they can achieve together to derail the trafficking of illegal narcotics and prescription drugs into our community,” said DEA Assistant Special Agent in Charge Timothy Plancon.
In addition to Lawless, four of the suspects are currently in custody including:
- Michael Kouns, 26, Polk
- Sarah Krupansky, 28, Polk
- David Wertman, 18, Copley
- James Diaz, 44, Sullivan
In addition to drug charges, Lawless is also facing multiple counts of felonious assault, aggravated burglary, and abduction relating to crimes he allegedly committed prior to his arrest.
The Medina County Drug Task Force consists of agents employed directly by Medina County, as well as officers from the Medina Police Department and Wadsworth Police Department.
Additional agencies that assisted with the investigation include the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation's Heroin Unit, Medina County Sheriff's Office, Wayne County Sheriff's Office, MEDWAY Drug Enforcement Agency, Medina County Prosecutor's Office, Wayne County Prosecutor's Office, and U.S. Marshals Service.
Established in 1986, the Ohio Organized Crime Investigations Commission assists local law enforcement agencies in combating organized crime and corrupt activities. The commission is comprised of members of the law enforcement community and is chaired by the Ohio Attorney General. In 2014, authorities working in OOCIC task forces across the state seized more than $23 million worth of drugs and more than $5 million in U.S. currency.
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Additional Resources:
Richard Lawless Indictment (PDF)
Michael Kouns Indictment (PDF)
Sarah Krupansky Indictment (PDF)
David Wertman Indictment (PDF)
James Diaz Indictment (PDF)
Media Contacts:
Dan Tierney: 614-466-3840
Jill Del Greco: 614-466-3840