An extensive drug trafficking investigation in Akron, Ohio, has culminated in a 51-count superseding indictment against 17 residents for allegedly operating a significant drug ring. The charges stem from an operation purportedly responsible for distributing drugs such as methamphetamine, fentanyl, cocaine, and Alprazolam, a detail unveiled in court documents and reported by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Ohio. This extensive case, which began unfolding in December 2023, also involved three additional defendants charged separately in connection to the conspiracy.
The indictment alleges that the drug trafficking organization (DTO) was helmed by 41-year-old Akron resident Joe Nathan Sanders-Taylor and facilitated by using a network of associates to not only distribute but also grossly profit from it. These associates reportedly took on roles ranging from re-selling drugs and handling financial machinations to acting as lookouts during transactions, as highlighted in the same announcement by the U.S. Attorney's Office. Firearms were also part of the illicit mix—defendants are accused of possessing guns to both protect their wares and further their illegal trade.
Law enforcement's pursuit of Sanders-Taylor reached a climax on June 10, 2024, resulting in a cinematic chase on Interstate 77. Sanders-Taylor allegedly tossed two loaded firearms from his vehicle before crashing and attempting to carjack two vehicles. This dramatic episode added to the list of charges he faces; prior federal convictions already barred Sanders-Taylor from legally possessing firearms. Besides the arms, he was found with quantities of methamphetamine and fentanyl sufficient for distribution. The subsequent arrests of other defendants ensued in a coordinated law enforcement effort.
The indictment's list of defendants includes names and aliases, ranging from Brooke Marie Logan, known as "Bee," to Joshua Lee Hackney, identified as "Country." Those indicted have been charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Ohio's official statement reminds the public that an indictment is merely a charge and that the accused are presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
The indictment is the result of a collaborated investigative effort by various law enforcement agencies, including the ATF and FBI Akron Field Office, paired with local Ohio police and sheriff's departments. The prosecuting mantle is borne by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph P. Dangelo. If convicted, the court will determine the defendants' sentences by factoring in their criminal history, role in the offense, and the nature of the crime, adhering strictly to the law's ordained bounds and often resulting in penalties lower than the maximum, the statement from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Ohio indicates.
