Nine people, most from Toledo, indicted for their roles in a conspiracy to traffic fentanyl

Nine people, most from Toledo, were indicted in federal court for their roles in a conspiracy to traffic fentanyl.

Indicted are: Terrance Allen, 25; Nathaniel Barringer, 23; Chad Burkholder, 34; Megan Champion, 40; Ryin Douglas-Reed, 28; Laurie Lehman, 49; Julie Murdock, 47, of Petersburg, Mich.; Donte Walker, 30, and Russell Watson, 37. They are from Toledo unless otherwise noted.

All are charged with one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute at least 400 gramd of fentanyl. The conspiracy took place from March 2018 through this month, according to the indictment.

Arrest warrants executed Thursday morning resulted in the seizure of drugs, cash and firearms.

“These defendants worked together to sell large amounts of fentanyl, which has killed so many of our neighbors,” U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman said. “We will work with federal agents and police officers to prosecute those who would profit from this drug epidemic.”

FBI Special Agent in Charge Stephen D. Anthony said: “This group of individuals brought drugs and violence to the streets of our community. Collaborative law enforcement actions will hold them accountable for the danger they have caused.”

“This is just another example of how the Toledo Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation work together to keep all Toledoans safe,” Toledo Police Chief George Kral said. “This operation has identified numerous individuals who, through their actions, have victimized and harmed many. The City of Toledo is a safer place with these people behind bars. Those in our community who continue to sell drugs, carry firearms and victimize others should take notice of these arrests. We now hope that the judiciary will impose the harshest of sentences if convictions are realized.”

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Toledo Police Department, the Toledo Metro Drug Task Force and Northwest Ohio Violent Crime Task Force. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alissa M. Sterling and Noah Hood.

If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the Court after review of factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, the defendant’s role in the offense and the characteristics of the violations.  In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and, in most cases, it will be less than the maximum.

An indictment is a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government's burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.