COLUMBUS, Ohio - A federal grand jury has charged Darnell A. Reeves, 32, of Delaware, Ohio, in a nine-count indictment returned here today. Reeves is charged with drug charges related to the distribution of crack cocaine, fentanyl and heroin that resulted in four overdoses, three of them fatal.
Benjamin C. Glassman, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, Steve Francis, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Delaware County Prosecutor Carol O’Brien, Delaware County Sheriff Russell L. Martin, Delaware Police Chief Bruce Pijanowski and other members of the Delaware County Drug Task Force announced the charges returned yesterday and filed today.
According to court documents, investigators traced fentanyl, heroin and crack cocaine back to Reeves (also known as Bookie), after they responded to the scene of an overdose death in Ostrander, Ohio on February 28. The victim was found on a couch in a shed, slumped forward with a used syringe under him.
Further investigation tied Reeves’s alleged trafficking activity to an overdose death on Jan. 22, a nonfatal overdose on February 12 and a fatal overdose on March 2.
Reeves was arrested in June in connection to a federal criminal complaint and has remained in custody since.
Distribution of a controlled substance that resulted in serious bodily injury and/or death carries a potential sentence of 20 years to life in prison.
“This case is an example of how all levels of law enforcement are working together to trace overdose deaths back to their alleged suppliers and prosecute in the most appropriate venue," U.S. Attorney Glassman said. “We will continue to collaborate in order to combat the impact of fentanyl, heroin and other drugs on our communities."
“The charges against Mr. Reeves tragically illustrate how frequently these deadly drugs are claiming the lives of our community members, especially here in Ohio with over 4000 deaths each year since 2016," said Steve Francis, HSI special agent in charge for Michigan and Ohio. “HSI is committed to stopping the flow of these highly dangerous drugs into our communities and holding those who distribute this poison accountable for their actions."
U.S. Attorney Glassman commended the investigation of this case by HIS, Delaware County Sheriff’s Office, Delaware Police Department and members of the Delaware County Drug Task Force, as well as Deputy Criminal Chief Michael Hunter, who is prosecuting the case.
An indictment merely contains allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
