Joshua M. Riley, a 46-year-old resident of Hamilton, Ohio, received a 15-year prison sentence for narcotics and firearms offenses in the U.S. District Court. Court documents reveal that Riley was involved in having bulk amounts of narcotics mailed to his home on Symmes Avenue via the United States Postal Service. In November 2022, law enforcement intercepted a package en route to Riley's residence with fictitious sender and recipient names, containing over two kilograms of methamphetamine.
A subsequent search of Riley's home led agents to find approximately 1,000 fentanyl pills, 40 pounds of marijuana, cocaine, drug trafficking paraphernalia, high-end jewelry, and $18,500 in cash. Additionally, Riley was found illegally possessing at least 15 firearms along with firearm magazines and ammunition. Among these firearms were four previously reported stolen guns and another with an obliterated serial number.
In July 2024, Riley admitted guilt to charges including possession with intent to distribute significant quantities of methamphetamine and fentanyl as well as cocaine and marijuana. He also confessed to illegal firearm possession due to his status as a convicted felon.
During his detention related to this case, Riley was repeatedly caught smuggling drugs such as suboxone strips and amphetamines into Butler County Jail.
The sentencing announcement came from Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Lesley Allison from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), Pittsburgh Division; and Butler County Sheriff Richard K. Jones. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys David P. Dornette and Timothy D. Oakley under the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) initiative which targets high-level drug traffickers through a multi-agency approach.
