Source: United States Department of Justice News
CLEVELAND – Terry L. Jackson Sr., 50, of Elyria, Ohio, was sentenced on Thursday, September 8, 2022, by U.S. District Judge Donald C. Nugent to more than 21.5 years in prison after Jackson was convicted in a trial by jury of distributing cocaine base (crack) and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, cocaine base (crack) and methamphetamine.
“This sentence is another example of the successful cooperation between federal, state and local law enforcement authorities in combating the scourge of opioids in our community,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle M. Baeppler. “Repeat drug traffickers earn their way to federal court to answer for the poisoning of our communities.”
“Drug trafficking cases remain one of the highest priorities of the FBI,” said FBI Cleveland Special Agent in Charge Gregory Nelsen. “This sentence underscores an unwavering commitment to combatting drug trafficking. The FBI, together with our federal, state, and local partners, remain steadfast in disrupting the flow of deadly drugs that pose the greatest threat to the well-being of every person in the United States.”
According to court documents, in February of 2019, law enforcement officers with the Elyria Police Department began an investigation into Jackson, after receiving information that Jackson was distributing drugs out of an Elyria-area motel room. As a result, investigators conducted a controlled buy from Jackson and purchased a quantity of cocaine base (crack) from him. Shortly after, investigators obtained and executed a search warrant for the hotel room where Jackson was staying.
During the execution of the warrant, investigators encountered Jackson alone in the room and seized quantities of fentanyl, cocaine base (crack) and methamphetamine from him. Jackson was arrested at that time.
Jackson was classified as a career offender during the sentencing hearing due to multiple prior felony convictions, including drug trafficking and felonious assault. A career offender is an individual that commits either a crime of violence or a controlled substance offense after two prior felony convictions for either a crime of violence or a controlled substance offense.
This investigation was conducted by the Elyria Police Department, with assistance from the FBI and the Ohio Adult Parole Authority. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Payum Doroodian and Robert J. Kolansky.
This case was investigated as part of Operation Synthetic Opioid Surge (S.O.S.)., a joint law enforcement initiative that seeks to reduce the supply of deadly synthetic opioids and to identify wholesale distribution networks and international and domestic suppliers.