Rebecca C. Lutzko United States Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio | U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio
A federal grand jury in the Northern District of Ohio has indicted 19 individuals associated with a Cleveland-based drug trafficking ring. The indictment, consisting of 29 counts, charges these individuals with involvement in the distribution of controlled substances, primarily cocaine, across Northeast Ohio and as far as Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
The defendants include Derek Brantley, Juan Johnny Colon, Luis Joel Rondon, Sydney Anthony, Ryan Bell, Mark Byrd, Nicholas Calvert, Jocelyn Dolan, Antonio Greenlee, Andre Jenkins, Melanie Crespo, Jordan Marsh, Nicholas Malusky, Sean Masters from Florida, Brandon Payne, Lee Pomales, Mason Pulvino, Martha Rios and Kalem Watts.
Law enforcement agencies conducted coordinated arrests following an investigation that spanned from October 2023 to December 2024. Authorities seized cash and illegal drugs such as cocaine, methamphetamine and fentanyl during the operation. Several firearms were also confiscated.
Court documents reveal that multiple locations in Cleveland served as stash houses for storing and packaging drugs and firearms. Despite the allegations in the indictment being serious charges against the defendants remain allegations until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.
If convicted sentences will be determined by considering factors like prior criminal records roles in offenses and characteristics of violations. Sentences will not exceed statutory maximums.
This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) Strike Force Initiative aimed at dismantling significant drug traffickers gangs and transnational criminal organizations. The OCDETF Cleveland Strike Force includes agents from various federal agencies working together on intelligence-driven operations to combat illicit activities threatening public safety.
The case was investigated by the FBI Cleveland Division with Assistant United States Attorney Robert F. Corts leading the prosecution for the Northern District of Ohio.
