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The six men will face a preliminary hearing on charges of felony
trafficking in marijuana Wednesday.
By MARK TUSCANO
Staff Writer
mtuscano@starbeacon.com
JEFFERSON — The six suspects netted in Tuesday and Wednesday’s huge drug
sting operation in New Lyme Township were arraigned together Thursday in
Eastern County Court.
The men, five from Ashtabula and Lake counties and one from California, each
face charges of felony trafficking in marijuana, engaging in a pattern of
corruption, and conspiracy to commit felony drug trafficking. Thomas
MacWilliams of Geneva also is being charged with felony possession of a
weapon under a disability.
Judge Robert E. Wynn ordered MacWilliams, James John Neubert of Madison,
Herman L. York of Geneva, Charles E. York of Ashtabula and Anthony D.
Schmidt of Geneva held on $500,000 cash or surety. Bail for the sixth
suspect, Victor Anthony Townsend of Imperial Beach Calif., was set at $1
million or 10 percent rule.
The six men were arrested in connection with a year-long drug investigation
that started in California. Federal and local agents combined forces to raid
the Day Road home in which more than 900 pounds of marijuana and $75,000
cash were seized.
Ashtabula County Chief Deputy Sheriff Howard Shetler said, “Judging by the
amount that was confiscated, we took out one of the biggest northeast Ohio
operations there is.” The suspects will face a preliminary hearing on the
charges on Wednesday.
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