Rebecca C. Lutzko United States Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio | U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio
Three men from Ohio have been sentenced to federal prison for their involvement in a drug trafficking conspiracy that distributed fentanyl, cocaine, and methamphetamine across the Greater Cleveland area. The sentences were handed down by U.S. District Judge Donald C. Nugent after all three defendants pleaded guilty to charges related to the case.
Chantez Moore, 45, of Westlake, received a sentence of 276 months (23 years) in prison and will serve 10 years of supervised release following his incarceration. Moore pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, distribution of methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, fluorofentanyl, and cocaine.
Kevin Lanier, 42, of Highland Heights, was sentenced to 240 months (20 years) in prison with 10 years of supervised release. He pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, distribution of fentanyl and methamphetamine, as well as possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and fluorofentanyl.
James C. Lang, 36, of Cleveland, received a sentence of 120 months (10 years) in prison and five years of supervised release. Lang pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges involving controlled substances as well as possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine. He also admitted being a felon in possession of a firearm.
The investigation began in early 2023 when federal agents started looking into drug trafficking activity believed connected to Mexican drug cartels operating in Cleveland. Between February 2023 and May 2024, authorities observed the defendants making frequent visits to various apartments—some rented under false names—and conducting drug transactions. Search warrants executed at these locations led law enforcement officers to seize approximately 67 kilograms of fentanyl (with most disguised as Percocet pills), one kilogram each of cocaine and methamphetamine, along with several firearms including pistols and rifles.
All three men had prior convictions for drug offenses and were designated career offenders during sentencing.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI Cleveland Division alongside the Cleveland Division of Police and the Cartel, Gang, Narcotics, and Money Laundering Task Force—a collaboration among federal, state, and local agencies.
Assistant United States Attorney Vasile C. Katsaros prosecuted the case.
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