(COLUMBUS, Ohio)—Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine, Pickaway County Sheriff Robert Radcliff, Circleville Police Chief Shawn Baer, and Pickaway County Prosecutor Judy Wolford announced today that 11 individuals, including a father and son, are now facing charges for their alleged participation in a heroin and cocaine trafficking ring that operated in Pickaway County with ties to Columbus.
Authorities served arrest warrants on the suspects today as part of "Operation Lights Out."
The arrests follow a six-month investigation conducted by the Pickaway County Sheriff's Office, Circleville Police Department, the Attorney General's Heroin Unit, and members of the Bureau of Criminal Investigation's Special Operations Unit and Criminal Intelligence Unit.
“This group has made a living profiting from the addictions of others,” said Attorney General DeWine. “By working together with the Pickaway County Sheriff, Pickaway County Prosecutor’s Office and the Circleville Police Department, today’s arrests will put a stop to this drug trafficking operation.”
"Stopping addiction in our county is our top priority and going after those who traffic drugs is one way we combat this issue that plagues our community,” said Pickaway County Sheriff Robert Radcliff. "Working in a unified effort with our state and local partners to hold these drug traffickers accountable is critical in bringing our community together.”
Leslie "Alan" Crosby and his son Nicholas Crosby were identified as the alleged ringleaders of the organization. The investigation found that they often traveled to Columbus to purchase heroin and cocaine from two main suppliers who were also indicted as part of the investigation. Additional suspects, including Leslie Crosby's wife and daughter, are also accused of taking part in the drug trafficking ring.
Each suspect is charged with one count of engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, one count of conspiracy to engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, two counts of trafficking in heroin, two counts of trafficking in cocaine, and several other drug-related charges.
Some charges include a major drug offender specification, which carries a mandatory 11-year prison sentence.
The Pickaway County Prosecutor's Office will prosecute the case with assistance from the Attorney General's Special Prosecutions Section.
“We are once again grateful to the Attorney General’s Office for their assistance in an investigation here in Pickaway County and we could not be more pleased with how well all law enforcement agencies have worked together to take down yet another drug trafficking organization in our jurisdiction," said Pickaway County Assistant Prosecutor Jayme Fountain. "We will continue to offer the low level offenders the option for treatment, but intend to send a clear message to those traffickers that we will continue to combat this epidemic in Pickaway County.”
The following suspects were in custody as of 1:30 p.m.:
- Leslie "Alan" Crosby, 51, Circleville
- Nicholas Crosby, 25, Chillicothe
- Rhonda Crosby, 45, Circleville
- Regina Crosby, 22, Circleville
- Anthony Schwalbauch, 32, Circleville
- Adam Boysel, 34, Circleville
- Heather Boysel, 31, Circleville
- Joseph McGraw, 44, McDermott
- Nikki Herron, 30, Circleville
An additional 15 defendants were indicted on lower-level charges, such as drug possession, in connection with the investigation. A list of these defendants in custody as of 1:30 p.m. can be found
here.
Authorities with the U.S. 23 Major Crimes Task Force, Drug Enforcement Administration, and Circleville Municipal Court Probation Department assisted with the investigation.
Sheriff Radcliff also thanked the Circleville Township Trustees for their continued support.
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