A superseding indictment was filed in federal court charging Akron man with selling fentanyl that resulted in the fatal overdose of a Wadsworth man.
LeTroy Vaughn, 26, was indicted on one count of distribution of fentanyl. The charge carries a potential sentencing enhancement because the fentanyl resulted in death.
Vaughn sold the fentanyl on Sept. 27, 2015, to a man identified in court documents as E.W. E.W. died after ingesting the fentanyl sold to him by Vaughn, according to the indictment
“This defendant will be held accountable selling fentanyl that killed someone’s son and friend," Herdman said. “Law enforcement will continue to work together to disrupt the flow of deadly fentanyl into our region and hold accountable those who profit from this epidemic."
Akron Police Chief Kenneth Ball said: "The cooperative effort of law enforcement is always at work, pursuing justice and determined to make our communities safer. The arrest of Letroy Vaughn is evidence of this partnership. I am very proud of the accomplishments of members of the Akron Police Department. I am also thankful for continued work of our local and federal partners who add so much to this process."
“This shows the great collaboration between the County Prosecutor’s Office and the U.S. Attorney’s Office," said Summit County Prosecutor Sherri Bevan Walsh. “We are relieved for the victim’s family that this offender will not escape justice on a legal technicality. I would personally like to thank Justin Herdman, the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio, for ensuring justice for Eric Ward’s family."
If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the Court after review of factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, the defendant’s role in the offense and the characteristics of the violations. In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and, in most cases, it will be less than the maximum.
The matter is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Teresa Riley following an investigation by the Akron Police Department’s Narcotics Unit.
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
