MARION—In connection with two separate drug trafficking operations, authorities have arrested 31 individuals in Marion, as announced by the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio on Thursday.

During a press conference held on Thursday, U.S. Attorney Rebecca Lutzko addressed the issue of illegal drugs, specifically highlighting the significant toll fentanyl and other illicit substances continue to take on the American public. Lutzko stated, “We continue to see such overdose deaths in Marion and throughout Ohio.”

Federal officials have filed charges against 24-year-old Christopher Payne, whom they consider to be the main orchestrator of a drug operation based in Marion. This operation was active from June of last year until June 14 of this year. Payne, along with 13 other defendants hailing from Marion, Lorain, and Wyandot counties, faces a total of 18 charges. These include conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, distribution of drugs, and the use of communication devices to facilitate drug trafficking.

According to the indictment, Payne stands accused of obtaining fentanyl, methamphetamine, and other drugs. He allegedly processed cocaine into crack cocaine and led a team of co-conspirators in concealing their illegal activities from law enforcement. The co-conspirators reportedly sourced the drugs from Marion and Columbus and utilized phones and social media platforms to distribute them.

In a separate indictment, Payne was also charged alongside 35-year-old Justin Stanley, who is accused of heading a trafficking operation since September 2020. Stanley, Payne, and 16 other suspects face a total of 23 drug-related charges.

On Wednesday, law enforcement arrested 20 suspects who were subsequently transported to Cleveland for arraignment. The arraignment of the remaining 11 suspects is pending, according to Lutzko.

The individuals charged in connection with the Payne operation are as follows:

  • Michael Worthington, 28, of Marion
  • Dave Davis, 43, of Marion
  • Matthew Taylor, 28, of Marion
  • Tyler Landrum, 26, of Marion
  • Dalton Gruber, 42, of Marion
  • Donovan Caskey, 28, of Marion
  • Crystal Rivers, 42, of Green Camp
  • Gerald Houseworth, 31, of Marion
  • Sheena Stolz, 34, of Upper Sandusky
  • Anthony Clark, 53, of Marion
  • Christina Weaver, 25, of Marion
  • Steven Mollet, 27, of Marion
  • Starla Artressia, 26, of Marion

The individuals charged in connection with the Stanley operation are as follows:

  • Freddie Sanchez, 36, of Lorain
  • Dustin Russell, 32, of Marion
  • Walter Thomas, 41, of Marion
  • Austin Hogan, 29, of Marion
  • Kyle Rentschler, 26, of Prospect
  • Donna Wrick, 31, of Marion
  • Lawrence Dempster, 49, of Marion
  • Ryan Pheasant, 30, of Marion
  • Michael Cottrill, 22, of Marion
  • Casey Taylor, 47, of Marion
  • Derek Hesson, 29, of Marion
  • Jacob Martin, 28, of Marion
  • James Holsinger, 29, of Marion
  • Jason Smith, 47, of Marion
  • Jeffery Hall, 31, of Marion
  • Dustin Freeman, 36, of Marion

This investigation was a collaborative effort involving local, county, and federal law enforcement agencies, including the Marion-Metrich Drug Task Force, FBI Mansfield, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, and several state agencies.

Crawford County Now remains committed to providing ongoing coverage of this developing news story.

 

 

Video Credit: WBNS 10 TV