Two from Lorain indicted for selling fentanyl

Two men from Lorain were indicted for selling fentanyl.

Julius Ruffin, 39, was indicted on one count of possession with intent to distribute a mixture of heroin and fentanyl. Ruffin had nearly 100 grams of the drug mixture on Oct. 19, according to the indictment.

Aalijah Joel Rico, 24, was indicted on one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. Rice had 117 grams of fentanyl on Oct. 12, according to the indictment.

The cases were investigated as part of Operation Synthetic Opioid Surge (S.O.S.), which seeks to reduce the supply of deadly synthetic opioids in high impact areas and to identify wholesale distribution networks and international and domestic suppliers. Lorain County was selected as a pilot site for Operation S.O.S. Nearly 40 people have been indicted as part of the program to date.

These cases are investigated by the DEA, FBI, Elyria Police Department, Lorain Police Department and Lorain County Prosecutor’s Office. These cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Vasile Katsaros.

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 violation.  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 only 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.