(6-15-18) According to U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman an 11-count federal indictment has led to seven arrests dating back to November 2016 into large-scale drug trafficking in Allen and Van Wert counties.
Arrests of eight Lima men on federal charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and crack cocaine. According to Herdman the cocaine came from outside the U.S. and entered the local area Lima from Detroit.
Named in the federal indictment:
- Don Burns, 44
- Joseph Downton, 39
- Earl Hall, 37
- DeJuan James, 31
- Michael Jones, 40
- DeJuan Keys, 29
- Larry Nathan, 53
- Chivas Shurelds, 29
Federal, state and local law enforcement officials ( Federal Bureau of Investigation, Lima Police Department, Allen County Sheriff’s Office, Van Wert Sheriff’s Office, Delphos Police Department, the Ohio State Highway Patrol and the Ohio Air National Guard) were all involved in the process. The West Central Ohio Task Force is still in search for additional suspects.
Mercer County Outlook 