COLUMBUS - William M. Totten, 55, of Canal Winchester, Ohio was sentenced in U.S. District Court today to serve 125 months in prison for leading a drug trafficking organization in central Ohio that distributed more than 20 kilograms of cocaine. Totten and four others were charged following a cooperative investigation by federal, state and local law enforcement in Columbus and Franklin County, Ohio.
Benjamin C. Glassman, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, Ryan L. Korner, Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Criminal Investigation, Angela L. Byers, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division, Franklin County Sheriff Dallas Baldwin and Columbus Police Chief Kim Jacobs announced the sentence imposed today by U.S. District Judge Michael H. Watson.
According to court documents, Totten used a residence in Columbus and his residence in Canal Winchester to store narcotics and to conduct cocaine transactions. During a search warrant conducted at Totten’s residence when agents arrested him on December 6, 2013, investigators found 10 plastic wrapped packages, each containing two kilograms of cocaine powder, concealed in the basement. Agents also seized additional cocaine and kilogram-sized wrappers with residue.
Totten pleaded guilty on September 5, 2014 to one count of conspiracy to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine and one count of money laundering.
Totten agreed to forfeit the proceeds of the drug activity, which include nearly $95,000 in cash, jewelry and three real properties.
U.S. Attorney Glassman commended the cooperative investigation by the IRS, FBI, Columbus Division of Police and Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, as well as the cooperation of the DEA, which provided information vital to the investigation, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin Kelley, who represented the United States in the case.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
