An additional 22 people, most from Toledo, were indicted for their roles in a conspiracy to traffic large amounts of heroin, cocaine and fentanyl in Northwest Ohio.

The 22 people indicted are charged in a superseding indictment unsealed today in U.S. District Court in Toledo. Nine people were previously indicted in May.

Named in the 82-count indictment are: Pedro Negrin, 60, Santino Montoya, 26, Aurelio Seoane-Armada, 60, Jamel Gaines, 31, Corey Goings, 48, Nathaniel Houle, Jr., 23, Korey Parker, 29, Esteban Camejo, 29, Matthew Dale, 30, Kevin Downer, Jr., 23, Emilio Garcia, 25, Roberto Gomez, 26, Jason Hill, 25, Stephon Holcomb, 35, Roy Jackson, Jr., 25, Kelley Lee, 47, Lynna Lopez, 32, Vicente Lopez, Jr., 29, Odell McGee, 35, Anthony McRae, Jr., 24, Todd Miller, 47, Jameer Pratt, 24, Monica Patrick, 28, and Tim Wyse, 56, all of Toledo; Francisco Cabrera-Hernandez, 35, of Casa Grande, Arizona; Luis Perez-Rodriguez, 32, of Phoenix; Keimond Brown, 37, of Maricopa, Arizona; Brittany Loya, 23, of Perrysburg, Ohio; Tony Nichols, 48, of Northwood, Ohio; Jennifer Thomas, 53, of Laveen, Arizona, and Shane Ybarra, Sr., 35, of Walbridge, Ohio.

All 31 defendants are charged with one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute at least one kilogram of heroin, five kilograms of cocaine, 280 grams of crack cocaine and 400 grams of fentanyl.

Additional charges include being a felon in possession of a firearm, maintaining drug-involved premises, interstate travel and transportation in aid of racketeering enterprises, making false statements and use of a communications facility to facilitate a drug conspiracy.

According to the indictment:

Negrin allegedly obtained heroin, cocaine and fentanyl from various suppliers, including Hernandez and Rodriguez, in Mexico, Arizona, Florida and Michigan. Hernandez used motor vehicles with special secret “trap” compartments to transport the drugs from Arizona to Ohio.

Negrin then allegedly distributed the drugs to numerous other suppliers, including Montaya, Gaines, Camejo, Holcomb, Lee, Wyse and Ybarra. Those suppliers, in turn, distributed the narcotics to other drug dealers.

Members of the conspiracy used several different residences in the Toledo area to store, package and distribute the narcotics and subsequent cash.

Prosecutors are seeking to forfeit more than $400,000 in cash and several firearms seized as part of the investigation.

U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman said: “This group brought deadly fentanyl, heroin and cocaine to Toledo from Mexico and other states. Not surprisingly, firearms and large amounts of cash were seized as part of this investigation. We will use every tool available to us to prosecute those who import and sell the drugs killing our neighbors, and who illegally have firearms as part of their operation.”

“A multi-year, multi-agency investigation has resulted in the seizure of hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash, numerous weapons and large loads of dangerous, illegal drugs,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Eric Smith. “This collaborative law enforcement effort has dismantled a large-scale drug trafficking organization that has brought danger to our community for years. These individuals will now face the justice system and be held accountable for their numerous crimes. Thanks to the community and our law enforcement partners -- a job well done.”

“Today’s operation is the culmination of a multi-year organized crime drug trafficking investigation by local, state, and federal law enforcement partners” said Toledo Police George Kral. “I am proud of all the detectives, deputies, and special agents involved in this investigation – especially members of the Toledo Metro Drug Task Force. It is because of their work the Negrin drug trafficking organization has been effectively dismantled.”

If convicted, the defendants’ sentences will be determined by the Court after reviewing factors unique to this case, including the defendants’ prior criminal record, if any, the defendants’ 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.        

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and Toledo Metro Drug Task Force investigated the case. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alissa M. Sterling and Matthew D. Simko.           

A superseding indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. Defendants are entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

Eight people were indicted in federal court for their roles in a conspiracy to distribute large amounts of heroin, cocaine and fentanyl pills in Northwest Ohio.

Leonardo Espino, 48, of Holland; Peter Martinez, 29, Tony Nichols, 47, Ramon Ochoa, 43 all of Oregon, Ohio; Thomas Espino, 42, Christopher Faust, 36 all of Toledo; Glendon Patrick, 40 of Fremont, Ohio; and Jose Luis Betancourt-Ponce, 46, of Mexico, are all charged with conspiracy to distribute with intent to distribute controlled substances, including fentanyl, heroin and cocaine. Thomas Espino is also charged with possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense.

The Espino drug trafficking organization is allegedly responsible for multi-kilogram shipments of cocaine and heroin as well as tens of thousands of fentanyl pills to Northwest Ohio. The group is also believed to have distributed drugs to New York City, Chicago, and North Carolina, according to court documents.

Leonardo Espino is the alleged head of the organization and coordinates directly with a source of supply for drugs in Mexico. Thomas Espino is the principal party responsible for drug distribution and obtaining payments, which are then returns to suppliers in Mexico. Nichols owns Nichols Automotive at 460 East Broadway, which is the group’s primary meeting place. He also distributed multi-kilogram quantities of cocaine and large amounts of fentanyl pills to others, according to court documents.

Faust distributed heroin in Toledo and also made wire transfers to pay suppliers in Mexico. Martinez distributed cocaine and fentanyl in the Toledo area. Ochoa transported drugs and cash for members of the organization. Patrick distributed pills for the group and transported heroin and cash, according to court documents.

Prosecutors are seeking to forfeit six firearms and ammunition seized from 1619 Albert Street in Toledo, six firearms and ammunition seized from 2649 Hayden Street in Toledo and one firearm and ammunition seized from 460 East Broadway Street in Toledo as part of the investigation, according to court documents.

“This group is responsible for bringing large amounts of heroin, cocaine and fentanyl into Northwest Ohio, then shipping the profits back to Mexico,” U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman said. “This is occurring at the same time our neighbors continue to die from overdoses. We will continue to do all we can to choke off the supply of these deadly drugs.”

“This is a significant blow to a major drug trafficking organization operating in the Toledo, Ohio area,” said Special Agent in Charge Keith Martin. “These actions make Toledo and the surrounding community safer by taking a significant amount of drugs off the street and bringing criminals with ties to violent drug trafficking organizations to justice.”

If convicted, the defendants’ sentences will be determined by the Court after reviewing factors unique to this case, including the defendants’ prior criminal record, if any, the defendants’ 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.

The Drug Enforcement Administration investigated the case. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Thomas P. Weldon and Gene Crawford.                    

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