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ASHTABULA — Eight Ashtabula residents arrested Thursday on a wide range of
drug-related charges, including trafficking in heroin, were arraigned Friday
afternoon in Ashtabula Municipal Court.
At least three other suspects are being sought,
and additional arrests are pending, said Ashtabula County Sheriff William
Johnson.
The defendants who appeared in court Friday
include a father and son, a mother and two of her sons, and a
boyfriend-girlfriend duo, sources said
Depending on the charge, defendants are looking
at sizable prison sentences and fines, said Judge Albert Camplese.
The defendants were “deeply involved in a
long-standing well-organized enterprise to sell a massive quantity of heroin
(in the area),” said Ashtabula City Solicitor Michael Franklin.
Defendants arraigned Friday were:
Felipe Ayala, 39, 2805 Lake Ave. (trafficking in
heroin, trafficking, possession of heroin);
Felipe Ayala Morell, 20, 1125 Michigan Ave.
(trafficking in heroin);
Jose Perez, 30, 1125 Michigan Ave., No. 2
(trafficking in heroin);
Vanessa Hurtado, 34, 518 W. 29th St.
(trafficking in heroin, four counts of trafficking, two counts of possession
of criminal tools, two misdemeanor counts of possession of drug
paraphernalia;
Miriam Russi Diaz, 49, 3118 Johnson Court
(trafficking in heroin, trafficking, possession of drugs, possession of
criminal tools);
Denis Cruz Russi, 21, 518 W. 29th St.
(trafficking in heroin);
Juan C. Cruz Russi, 28, 3118 Johnson Court
(trafficking in heroin, possession of cocaine); and
Gilberto Torres, 29, 5012 Kain Ave. (trafficking
in heroin, possession of heroin, receiving stolen property, possession of
criminal tools).
A translator helped some of the defendants
communicate with Camplese.
Some the trafficking charges carry heftier penalties. The severity of the
felony is generally based on the number of transactions or the quantity of
drug sold, Johnson said.
Probation officials were to be consulted before bond was set on each
defendant, Camplese said.
Perez and Morell were represented by attorney Joseph Morse.
The other defendants either said they would need a public defender or
requested time to find legal counsel. Preliminary hearings on the felony
charges will be scheduled in early February.
The arrests followed an eight-month investigation, dubbed Operation
Blackout, that used undercover operatives. The probe was led by sheriffs’
detectives assigned to the Trumbull-Ashtabula group law-enforcement task
force. State and federal agencies also assisted.
“This complex investigation would not have been possible without the
collaboration of the participating agencies,” according to a statement
issued by the sheriff’s department.
In Thursday’s subfreezing weather, teams of law-enforcement personnel served
seven search warrants at five homes and two businesses, according to the
statement. After arrests were made, officers searched each of the buildings.
Combined, they located dozens of “bindles,” or packets, of heroin; nearly
$10,000 in cash; police scanners; guns; ammunition; and drug paraphernalia,
including syringes and digital scales.
Also seized were flat-screen televisions, digital cameras, vehicles and a
2004 Harley-Davidson motorcycle.
Deputies and agents also recovered stolen numerous items believed stolen
from the Lowe’s Home Center in Ashtabula Township, according to the
statement. The investigation is far from over, Johnson said. In the
days ahead, officers expect to unravel several theft cases, which will lead
to additional arrests. Heroin has become more prevalent in the area in
recent years, and Thursday’s arrests should put a big dent in the trade,
Johnson said.
“The heroin problem (in the county) is comparable to what we experienced
several years ago with methamphetamine and is growing,” the statement said.
The sweep will have residual benefits, too; heroin addicts often commit
property crimes to finance their habit, Johnson said. “It will stop a lot of
the distribution,” he said. “(The operation) will reap some big benefits.
People will be a lot safer.” More important, the arrests will help
stem the flow of a drug that already has taken a terrible toll on local
families.
“It is destroying a lot of families,” Johnson said.
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