Akron man indicted for stamping pills containing fentanyl and other drugs to look like Percocet, as well as firearms charges

An Akron man was indicted in federal court on fentanyl, firearms and other drug charges, as well as having an illegal pill press.

Donyea Nelson, 42, was indicted on charges including possession of die used to manufacture a counterfeit substance, possession of equipment to manufacture a controlled substance, possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, possession with intent to distribute fentanyl analogues and other charges.

According to the nine-count indictment and related court documents:

Law enforcement became aware in December 2018 of several packages sent from China to 1305 Bellows Street in Akron. Some of the shipments were consistent with parts used to press pills.

A search of one of the parcels on January 2, 2019 revealed several parts used to press and stamp pills. The die pieces recovered were designed to print and/or reproduce the trade name and mark of acetaminophen oxycodone hydrochloride, more commonly known as Percocet.

Law enforcement made an undercover controlled delivery of the package the next day. Nelson accepted and signed for the package, which was addressed to a Nelsohn Donnier.

Police entered the home and found numerous powders, capsules, items consistent with a pill press operation, as well as a .45-caliber Blackhawk pistol. The drugs were determined to include fentanyl, methamphetamine, butyrylfentanyl and 4-ANPP.

“This case is a stark reminder that people who buy drugs on the street have no idea what they are putting into their body,” said U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman. “This defendant was pressing pills to look like Percocet but his home was filled with deadly fentanyl, fentanyl analogues and other drugs. I am confident this arrest saved lives.”

“Opioid trafficking continues to be among HSI’s highest investigative priorities,” said Homeland Security Investigations’ Special Agent in Charge Steve Francis. “These deadly drugs pose an extremely serious threat to public safety in our communities. HSI and our partners will be relentless in our effort to bring traffickers of this poison to justice. ”

This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Akron Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Damoun Delaviz.

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.

A charge 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.