More Than 30 Charged in Akron Firearms and Drug Crackdown

AKRON, Ohio - The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Ohio today announced the unsealing of 17 federal indictments charging more than 30 people allegedly involved in connection with firearms offenses and illegal drug violations. Ten additional defendants will face state charges.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), with assistance from numerous federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, led the investigation and apprehension of defendants in a series of coordinated arrests that concluded this morning. One federal defendant remains at large.

The law enforcement initiative was conducted over a 60-day period and focused on Akron's most violent areas. During the investigation, law enforcement seized 32 pistols, one revolver, six rifles, two suppressors, and one machinegun conversion device. Illegal substances seized included 417.6 grams of powdered cocaine, 376 grams of cocaine base (crack), 94 grams of heroin, 4663.4 grams of methamphetamine, 443.5 grams of marijuana, and 134.6 grams of fentanyl.

The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney David M. Toepfer for the Northern District of Ohio; Acting Special Agent in Charge John G. Smerglia for the ATF Columbus Field Division; and Chief Brian J. Harding of the Akron Police Department.

The charges filed today coincide with the ATF announcement of a new Akron Crime Gun Intelligence Center (CGIC). The CGIC will serve as an intelligence hub and coordination center for local, state and federal response to crimes involving firearms. CGICs use cutting-edge forensic science and evidence to support the investigation and prosecution of violent criminals.

These returned indictments are separate and not related. All defendants are from Akron unless otherwise noted:

Case Number (CN) 5:25CR430

• Robert Hazel, 40, of Tallmadge, is charged with Engaging in the Business of Manufacturing and Dealing Firearms without a License and Possession of Unregistered Firearms.

CN 5:25CR431

• Charles Klein, 49, of Tallmadge, is charged with Distribution of Methamphetamine.

CN 5:25CR432:

• Michael Czerpak, 45, and Jennifer Schaeffer, 37, are charged with Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine and Distribution of Methamphetamine.

CN 5:25CR433:

• David Felix, 33, is charged with Distribution of Cocaine.

CN 5:25CR434

• Gary Robinson, 26, is charged with Distribution of Marijuana, Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime, and Trafficking in Firearms.
• Walter Hicks, 23, is charged with Trafficking in Firearms.
• Alonzo Brewer, 22, Lily Palmer, 23, Madison Schreckengost, 23, and Diamond Taylor, 25, are all charged with making False Statements during Purchase of Firearms and Straw Purchase of a Firearm.

CN 5:25CR435

• Terrance Bivens-Boyd, 19, is charged with Distribution of Cocaine, Trafficking in Firearms, Illegal Possession of a Machinegun, and making False Statements During Purchase of a Firearm.
• Elijah Hawkins, 28, is charged with Trafficking in Firearms.
• Ellis Bloodworth II, 25, is charged with making False Statements During Purchase of Firearm and Straw Purchase of Firearm.

CN 5:25CR436

• Anthony Maurice Mims, 32, is charged with being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm; previous convictions include burglary in 2012; and domestic violence in 2020.

CN 5:25CR440

• Davante Neal, 31, and Larry Vaughan, 67, are both charged with Distribution of Cocaine.

CN 5:25CR441

• Jaelyn Barnhart, 26, and Traci Howard, 26, are both charged with Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine.

CN 5:25CR442

• Devontae Simmons, 32, is charged with Distribution of Methamphetamine and Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime.

CN 5:25CR443

• Brandon Travis, 38, is charged with being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition; prior convictions for involuntary manslaughter in 2008; and robbery in 2022. He is also charged with Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime, Possession with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl, and Distribution of Methamphetamine.

CN 5:25CR448

• Antonio Guice, 42, and Wathen Milliner, 40, are both charged with Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine, and Troy Miller, 54, Guice, and Milliner are all charged with Distribution of Methamphetamine.

CN 5:25CR456

• Devant'tair Brown, 25, and Davone Smith, 33, are charged with Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Cocaine and Distribution of Cocaine.

CN 5:25CR458

• Dazzmond Lenoir-Pratt, 24, and Darren Tibbets, 31, are both charged with Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Heroin and Fentanyl and Distribution of Heroin and Fentanyl.

CN 5:25CR459

• Jermaine Baker, 42, is charged with Distribution of Cocaine.

CN 5:25CR460

• Teon Brown, 22, of Medina, and Jaylyn Blackmon, 20, are both charged with Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine and Distribution of Methamphetamine.

CN 5:25CR473

• Damon McKinney, 53, of Shaker Heights, is charged with Distribution of Fentanyl and Methamphetamine.

If convicted, each defendant's sentence will be determined by the Court after review of factors unique to the case, including each defendant's prior criminal record, if any, their role in the offense, and the characteristics of the violation. In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum, and, in most cases, it will be less than the maximum.

The investigations leading to the indictments were conducted by the ATF Columbus Division's Cleveland Field Office, Akron Police Department, Summit County Sheriff's Office, Portage County Sheriff's Office, Barberton Police Department, University of Akron Police Department, and the Ohio Adult Parole Authority.

These cases are being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Peter E. Daly, Toni Beth Schnellinger Feisthamel, Yasmine Makridis, Margaret A. Sweeney, Stephanie A. Wojtasik, Brett S. Hammond, Brenna L. Fasko and Joseph A. Walsh for the Northern District of Ohio, with valuable assistance from the Summit County Prosecutor's Office.

The assistance of the U.S. Marshals is also acknowledged for providing related support for this crime reduction initiative.

An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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