Rebecca C. Lutzko United States Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio | U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio
A Canadian national, Dontavius Forbes, has pleaded guilty to charges of possessing 90 pounds of ecstasy with the intent to distribute. The incident occurred on August 7, 2024, when a U.S. Border Patrol agent noticed a compact SUV with Canadian plates in a service plaza parking lot near the Ohio turnpike. The vehicle had entered the U.S. from Canada on November 21, 2023.
The agent engaged in a consensual encounter with Forbes due to the extended duration since the vehicle's last entry into the U.S. During a search of the SUV, agents discovered aftermarket modifications in the rear cargo area, leading to hidden compartments filled with vacuum-sealed packages containing a crystal-like substance. A field test identified this substance as methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), commonly known as ecstasy or molly.
Further analysis by a forensic laboratory confirmed the presence of MDMA in the packages. Additionally, nearly $3,000 in U.S. currency was seized from the vehicle.
On June 6, 2025, Forbes admitted guilt to possession with intent to distribute MDMA and now faces up to 20 years in prison. His sentencing is scheduled for September 16, 2025, where a federal district court judge will consider various factors before determining his sentence.
The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Border Patrol-Sandusky Bay Station and the Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant U.S. Attorney Frank H. Spryszak prosecuted the case for the Northern District of Ohio.
