Six people were indicted in federal court for their roles in a drug conspiracy that resulted in the seizure of 17 kilograms of cocaine and more than $500,000 in cash, law enforcement officials said.
Named in the seven-count indictment are: Marty V. McCaulley, 42, of Lyndhurst; Carl D. Penny, 50, of Oldsmar, Florida; Adolfo Maya Magadan, 58, of Glenn Heights, Texas; Renee Ballin Serna, 24, of Chicago; Omar S. Williams, 41, of South Euclid, and Paul V. Cramer, 44, of Willowick.
All six are charged with conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute and distribution of cocaine. McCaulley and Williams are also charged with being felons in possession of firearms.
Magadan brought cocaine to Ohio and Serna sold it to McCaulley for further distribution. McCaulley met with Serna on Feb. 3 at the Courtyard by Marriott hotel in Willoughby Hills and give him $110,000 in cash. Magadan then gave six kilograms of cocaine to Serna, who gave the drugs to McCaulley. McCaulley then distributed a kilogram of cocaine to Cramer, according to the indictment
McCaulley and Serna then met with Penny at an apartment in Willoughby Hills. Penny had digital scales, plastic bags, rubber bands and $103,100 in cash.
Williams had nearly eight kilograms of cocaine and $210,041 in cash at a residence in South Euclid on Feb. 4, according to the indictment.
Prosecutors are seeking for forfeit $511,734 in cash, four firearms and a 2011 Jeep Wrangler seized during the investigation.
“The amount of cocaine, cash and guns taken off this group is remarkable,” U.S. Attorney Carole S. Rendon said. “It demonstrates they were serious drug traffickers, but law enforcement from across Northeast Ohio was able to work together to stop them.”
Special Agent in Charge Timothy J. Plancon said: “The seizure of 17 kilograms of cocaine and over half a million dollars from this group indicates that they were part of a large, multi-state conspiracy. Putting an end to their activities makes everyone in the region a little bit safer. The success of the investigation up to this point has been made possible thanks to the significant cooperation among all of our law enforcement partners.”
“The fact that several people from out of state are among those facing federal charges should send a strong message that Ohio is looking beyond the local drug dealers to identify suspects higher up in the supply chain,” said Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine. “These defendants allegedly worked together to distribute drugs throughout northeast Ohio, and I commend everyone involved in this effort who worked to intercept these narcotics.”
“Through the combined efforts, hard work and dedication of agents from the Medina County Drug Task Force, Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation and Cleveland DEA, what began as a 'community impact' investigation centered on Medina County evolved into an investigation of a much larger scale,” said Gary Hubbard, director of the Medina County Drug Task Force. “Each of the investigators involved worked countless hours to bring this investigation to a successful resolution. The impact on Medina County and all of northeastern Ohio will be significant.”
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Agency, the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation, the Medina County Drug Task Force and the Ohio State Highway Patrol with assistance from members of the Lake County Narcotics Agency, Cuyahoga Sheriff’s Office, Cleveland Heights Police Department, Cleveland Division of Police, Lorain County Drug Task Force, Ashtabula County Sheriff’s Office and Customs and Border Protection. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Henry F. DeBaggis.
If convicted, the defendants’ sentences 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 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.