CINCINNATI (WKRC) - A federal grand jury indicted 16 people on conspiracy, money laundering and gun charges Thursday following an investigation into a fentanyl ring.
The 30-page indictment claims that DEA agents found a number of text messages in which customers complained to the suspected dealers about the quality of the fentanyl they were buying.
"Chris ur … scale is off. I can take my grand a week else where!" read one of the text messages from August 2016.
Late last month, federal agents and Cincinnati Police rounded up suspects in an investigation into a fentanyl ring. U.S. Attorney Ben Glassman said those charged reinvested the money they made off of the drug to transport the drugs which resulted in money laundering charges.
"The specific allegation is they took the money from the fentanyl trafficking conspiracy and used that to rent cars, they spent thousands of dollars on dozens of cars that they then used to carry on the fentanyl trafficking," Glassman said.
Federal agents have called Keysean Dickey the ringleader. He remains a fugitive. Damaya Engram is also on the run. 14 others are in jail.
"This is significant but it's by no means the end of the fentanyl problem in southern Ohio."
Local officials say Fentanyl has led to a dramatic increase in the number of overdose deaths. It's mixed with heroin or used as a subsittute.
"It's really just about strict economics," said Dr. Shawn Ryan of BrightView Clinic. "So the dealers are finding there's a higher profit margin, it's easier to move across borders or make here through synthetic mechanisms."
Dr. Ryan said he's seen an increase in the number of patients he treats who are testing positive for fentanyl.
"What we know is when we look at the testing of our patients, at least nine out of 10 patients have been exposed to fentanyl. Most of it unintentional," Dr. Ryan said.
The hope is that ending this fentanyl ring will make a small dent in the supply.
"I am confident that we will get our arms around this. It's just going to take some time," Glassman said.
A judge denied bond to the suspects during a previous court appearance.
Keysean Dearis Dickey “Mike”, 25
Edmond Christian Hurt “Eddie”, 24
Rajah Amire Swain, 21
Chrisette Camilla Wade, 25
Ari Naiem Hodges “Big Mike, Fat Mike, Bundles”, 23
Da’Marco Martez Browner II “Baby D, Kid”, 24
Dominic Dashawn Davis, 26
Chaz Niko Jones “Juice, Z”, 26
Christopher Javar Mathews “Jay, Smash”, 29
Kiarra C. Thomas, 27
Mykeal Dawshawn Parker, 24
Devonte Shaunquinn Walker, 23
Damyia L. Engram ,31
Thomesha Walker, 25
Shonda Denise Jones, 44
Sherica Lynnae Shields, 24
