20 people charged in alleged Sandusky drug ring

SANDUSKY, Ohio – Twenty people face federal charges in connection with an alleged Sandusky-based drug trafficking ring, according to a Justice Department news release.

The suspects, all but one of whom are from Sandusky, are accused of distributing cocaine, crack, fentanyl and methamphetamine in an operation that lasted from April 2023 to August 2024. The Justice Department alleges the suspects conducted their operations in part from the Chill Palace bar in Sandusky, where they distributed the drugs.

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Prosecutors said the investigation was designed to make Sandusky safer and curb the spread of dangerous drugs.

“These charges and arrests will significantly reduce the spread of these poisons that cripple our communities in the greater Sandusky area,” U.S. Attorney Rebecca C. Lutzko said in the press release. “We applaud our federal, state and local partners who have worked tirelessly to stop the activities of this criminal organization. As a result, the streets of Sandusky are safer today.”

In the press release, investigators said the operation involved a network of partners, hideouts and delivery agents. An “unlicensed gambling house” in Sandusky was also allegedly used as a distribution center.

Police conducted a series of coordinated arrests, seizing large quantities of the above-mentioned drugs, as well as cash and illegally possessed firearms, authorities said.

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Of the 20 suspects, 19 are from Sandusky, the press release states. A total of 63 charges have been filed against them. The suspects are named in the press release as follows:

• Danny Lee Johnson, also known as Uncle Danny, 39, Elyria, Ohio
• Shon Alexander, aka Lil Man, 33, Sandusky, Ohio
• Mark Milten Castile, also known as Castile Jr., also known as Little Mark, 27, Sandusky, Ohio
• Mark Milton Castile, aka Castile Sr., aka MC, 50, Sandusky, Ohio
• Mark Castile, 22, Sandusky, Ohio
• Johnny Diego Desounyez Cherry, 41, Sandusky
• Marquez Clinton, aka Quez, 38, Sandusky, Ohio
• Alycia Cross, 33, Sandusky, Ohio
• Anrico Cunningham, also known as Suave, 40, Sandusky, Ohio
• Marvin Cunningham, aka Marv, 62, Sandusky, Ohio
• Brian Giving, also known as Hurt, 43, Sandusky, Ohio
• Brent Hanson, 25, Sandusky, Ohio
• Salei Harris, aka Bernard, 38, Sandusky, Ohio
• Eric Irby, 30, Sandusky, Ohio
• Bryonia Myers, 35, Sandusky, Ohio,
• Tremar Pearson, 24, Sandusky, Ohio
• Jarvis Pool, aka Shorty J, 42, Sandusky, Ohio
• Kendrick Scott, aka Cheese, 51, Sandusky, Ohio
• Dashour Smith, 28, Sandusky, Ohio
• Dean Swain, aka Dino, 42, Sandusky, Ohio

Before the charges were filed, the rings were investigated by Sandusky police, the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.