AKRON, Ohio — Seventeen Ohio residents have been charged with operating a large-scale drug trafficking scheme in Akron, according to the U.S. Department of Justice Northern District of Ohio.

What You Need To Know

  • The investigation started in 2023

  • It ended with the arrest of Joe Nathan Sanders-Taylor in 2024, who is believed to be at the center of the Drug Trafficking Organization

  • The superseding indictments are against individuals alleged to have helped Sanders-Taylor

Facing a 51-count superseding indictment, the individuals are alleged to have trafficked controlled substances throughout Summit County, including methamphetamine, fentanyl, cocaine and Alprazolam, also known as the brand name Xanax. The DOJ said three other defendants have been indicted separately in the case.

Court documents show the investigation began in December 2023 and through August 2024. Officials believe Joe Nathan Sanders-Taylor, 41, of Akron, was at the center of the drug trafficking ring throughout the region. Officials said he was supplied by co-conspirators from sources connected to the Cártel de Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG or Jalisco Cartel).

"Sanders-Taylor developed a drug distribution process that employed a number of individuals to serve as drug dealers throughout the Northeast Ohio region," the DOJ stated.

Documents also show that many of the associates helping Sanders-Taylor maintained and used Summit County residents to store and distribute drug supplies or create controlled substances. Many members also possessed firearms. 

The superseding indictment charges the following 17 defendants:

  • Joe Nathan Sanders-Taylor, 41, Akron
  • Brooke Marie Logan, 29, Akron
  • Tyrell Jerome Jennings, 35, Cleveland
  • Christopher Michael Andrews, 28, Akron
  • Crystal Marie Harris, 50, Akron
  • Ronald Oscar Clark, 58, Akron
  • Chelsey Marie Connelly, 35, Akron
  • Angela Grace Wade, 47, Akron
  • Demardre Leshawn Johnson, 37, Akron
  • Denetris Condra May, 38, Akron
  • John P. Burton, 41, Akron
  • Brian Keith Hinkle, 38, Akron
  • Joshua Lee Hackney, 38, Akron
  • Matthew Dion Inman, 54, Akron
  • Thomas Franklin Casanova, 27, Akron
  • Donnie Keith Eugene Schaffer, 30, Akron
  • Julia Francesca Stavole-Habimana, 26, Richfield

The DOJ said the indictment alleges the defendants did "unlawfully, knowingly, and intentionally combine, conspire, confederate, and agree with each other to distribute, and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, fentanyl and cocaine, all Schedule II controlled substances, and Alprazolam, a Schedule IV controlled substance."

In a separate superseding indictment, three others have been charged with this drug trafficking and firearms conspiracy:

  • Robert Parham, 54, Akron
  • Laverne Fortson, 50, Akron
  • Jeffery Goldbach, 54, Ravenna

If the individuals are convicted, a court will determine their sentences, as the factors are unique in this case. The sentencing will also involve each defendants' previous criminal record, their role in the scheme and characteristics surrounding the violations.