(CIRCLEVILLE, Ohio)— Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine today joined Acting Circleville Police Chief Shawn Baer, Pickaway County Sheriff Robert Radcliff, Pickaway County Prosecutor Judy Wolford, and Circleville Mayor Don McIlroy to announce the indictments of 17 individuals on drug trafficking charges.
The charges follow an eight month investigation conducted by the Attorney General's Heroin Unit, Circleville Police Department, and Pickaway County Sheriff's Office into a large-scale heroin and cocaine trafficking ring operating in and around Circleville.
An additional 54 individuals were indicted on felony charges of possession of heroin and/or possession of cocaine, and one suspect is charged with permitting drug abuse.
Prosecutors with the Pickaway County Prosecutor's Office, with assistance from attorneys with Attorney General DeWine's Special Prosecutions Section and Ohio Organized Crime Investigations Commission, presented evidence in the case to a Pickaway County Grand Jury on Friday.
Authorities worked to serve arrest warrants on the suspects today.
Of the 17 suspects facing trafficking charges, 11 are also charged with a felony count of engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity. Those 11 suspects were identified by investigators as the alleged managers of the drug trafficking organization.
Investigators allege that the leaders of the group operated the trafficking ring by transporting heroin and cocaine from Columbus and distributing the drugs in Circleville from August 2010 to December 2014. Investigators estimate that those supervising the group made approximately $40,000 per month in drug sales.
"Investigators found that this alleged drug trafficking operation functioned just like a pizza delivery business. Customers could place orders for heroin and cocaine, and members of the group allegedly delivered the drugs right to their customers' doorsteps," said Attorney General DeWine. "With today's arrests, those deliveries are done. Through the collaborative efforts of the Attorney General's Office and local authorities, this alleged drug trafficking operation has been dismantled."
"In addition to great teamwork between state and local authorities, today's arrests and indictments are also thanks in large part to members of the community who actively report drug activity they see happening in their neighborhoods," said Acting Circleville Police Chief Shawn Baer. "A strong partnership between community members and law enforcement is essential in combating crime, and we will continue to follow up on every tip we receive."
"Drug addiction and drug trafficking are ongoing problems not only in Circleville and Pickaway County, but across the state and across the county," said Pickaway County Sheriff Robert Radcliff. "Unified efforts of state and local law enforcement to hold drug traffickers accountable are critical in keeping our communities safe, and we will continue to work together to fight this battle."
“We are pleased with the arrests of those running the drug trafficking organization, thus addressing the supply side of the heroin and cocaine problem within our community," said Pickaway County Assistant Prosecutor Jayme Hartley Fountain. "Additionally, we are also hoping that the arrests and charges against the users will be a wake-up call that we will not tolerate the continued demand of heroin and cocaine. We want these people to address their addictions directly and use the resources available to get the help clearly needed by each person involved.”
Of the 11 individuals indicted on charges of engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, trafficking in heroin, and trafficking in cocaine, the following were in custody as of 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday:
- Michael Binkley II, 33, Circleville
- Jessica Dodge, 34, Circleville
- Dejon Dunning, 27, Lancaster
- Nicole Grambo, 35, Circleville
- David Caslin, 44, Columbus
A full list of those indicted and arrested as of 12:30 Wednesday afternoon can be found here.
Authorities with the Franklin County Sheriff's Office, Columbus Police Department, Ohio Highway Patrol, and Drug Enforcement Administration assisted with the investigation.
Attorney General DeWine created the Heroin Unit in 2013 after information gathered by the Attorney General's Office revealed an increasing rate of heroin overdose deaths across the state. The unit is made up of authorities from the Attorney General’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI), Special Prosecutions Section, and Ohio Organized Crime Investigations Commission.
The unit also includes education and outreach specialists from the Attorney General’s Office.
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