Grand jury indicts 5 Dayton individuals in narcotics conspiracy resulting in death

DAYTON, Ohio – Five Dayton individuals have been charged federally in a narcotics conspiracy that allegedly resulted in at least one overdose death and one serious bodily injury.

Those charged include:

In summer 2023, local and federal law enforcement began investigating a significant increase in drug overdoses that had occurred within a six-block radius in Dayton.

According to the 10-count indictment, the defendants conspired to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl, methamphetamine and cocaine. They allegedly possessed and distributed methamphetamine at a premises where a minor resided.

It is also alleged that on July 27, 2023, Ricardo Busbee and Hughes distributed a mixture of fentanyl and cocaine that caused an overdose death. The drug combination also allegedly caused serious bodily injury to another individual.

Ricardo and Torrence Busbee are also charged with illegally possessing firearms as previously convicted felons.

All the defendants are charged with possessing firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes. They allegedly possessed at least 14 guns that they kept in a storage unit and at residences on Laura and Basswood avenues.

Due to the allegation that death and serious bodily injury resulted from the drug conspiracy, if convicted, the defendants face a punishment of at least 20 years and up to life in prison.

This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, and gangs that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.

Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Orville O. Greene, Special Agent in Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA); and Dayton Police Chief Kamran Aftal announced the charges that were unsealed on Jan. 12 and commended the cooperative investigation with the assistance of partner agencies including Huber Heights, Trotwood, Springfield and Bellefontaine police departments, Miami County and Montgomery County sheriff’s offices, the FBI, United States Marshals and Ohio Adult Parole Authority. Assistant United States Attorneys Amy M. Smith and Kelly K. Rossi are representing the United States in this case.

An indictment merely contains allegations, and defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.

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