A Summit County man was sentenced on July 17 to more than 20 years in prison for drug trafficking offenses following a two-year investigation in Akron, Ohio. Robert Parham, 55, of Akron, received a sentence of 247 months from U.S. District Judge Dan Aaron Polster after pleading guilty in March to multiple charges including felon in possession of a firearm, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, fentanyl and cocaine, possession of a machine gun, and maintaining a drug involved premises.
Parham’s prior convictions include aggravated trafficking in drugs and trafficking in cocaine in 2018; aggravated trafficking in drugs and trafficking in drugs in 2013; complicity to commit burglary in 2005; and aggravated trafficking in drugs in 1995. The indictment outlined three counts of felon in possession of a firearm related to these previous convictions.
In late 2023, federal agents began investigating suspected drug activity throughout the Akron area. Law enforcement executed a federal search warrant at Parham’s apartment on July 2, 2024. During the search, they seized approximately 178 grams of methamphetamine, 142 grams of cocaine, and 355 grams of fentanyl. Authorities also recovered drug paraphernalia such as plastic baggies, digital scales, kilo presses, blenders and cutting agent; as well as marijuana, ecstasy tablets, three cellphones and $1,907.88 cash.
Officers found twenty-eight firearms at the scene—including two stolen firearms—one outfitted with an attached machine gun conversion device.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives led the investigation with assistance from the FBI Akron Resident Agency and the Akron Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Joseph P. Dangelo prosecuted the case for the Northern District of Ohio.
The U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio is responsible for enforcing federal criminal laws related to national security and public corruption while defending civil suits across forty northern counties within its jurisdiction under the U.S. Department of Justice. The office promotes community safety through outreach programs with schools and law enforcement agencies, according to its official website.