Columbus fentanyl supplier sentenced to 15 years in prison

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Sa'd Watkins, 44, of Columbus, was sentenced in U.S. District Court today to 180 months in prison for his role as a multi-kilogram fentanyl and fentanyl analogue supplier to mid and low-level drug traffickers in central Ohio.

Between September 2021 and July 2024, Watkins conspired to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl.

According to court documents, he had others lease stash houses for him, where he processed and distributed narcotics. Watkins also supplied drugs to co-conspirators who sold out of various other residences throughout Columbus for him.

For example, at one of Watkins's stash houses, law enforcement discovered more than 2.5 kilograms of fentanyl and fentanyl analogue, 10 firearms, ammunition, extended magazines, a Tyvek suit and other drug packaging materials. Law enforcement officers also seized more than $120,000 in cash from Watkins.

Watkins was indicted by a federal grand jury in July 2024 and pleaded guilty in February 2025.

The defendant has decades of prior criminal history, including involuntary manslaughter, aggravated robbery, and firearms and drug crimes.

Kelly A. Norris, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Jared Murphey, Acting Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Detroit; Delaware County Sheriff Jeffrey Balzer and other members of the Delaware County Drug Task Force, as well as Columbus Police Chief Elaine Bryant announced the sentence imposed today by Chief U.S. District Court Judge Sarah D. Morrison. Assistant United States Attorneys Nicole Pakiz and Jennifer M. Rausch are representing the United States in this case.

Watkins was a target of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation, which is now part of Operation Take Back America. Operation Take Back America is a nationwide federal initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department's Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

# # #