Police arrest Warren man in North Side drug probe

YOUNGSTOWN -- Elmer Austin, 36, of 1748 Transylvania Ave., Warren, has been charged with two counts of distributing drugs within 1,000 feet of a school, said Frank A. D'Alesio, resident agent in charge of the U.S. Treasury Department Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms, Youngstown office.
The charge is expected to be transferred for federal prosecution. If convicted, Austin faces a mandatory 10 years in prison, D'Alesio said today.
Austin is the second man arrested in an investigation into drug sales on the North Side, near Hayes Middle School.
Michael Dowdy, a Youngstown city worker, was charged Thursday with trafficking and possession of cocaine. Dowdy, of 420 Crandall Ave., was suspended today without pay.
Austin was expected to be arraigned Tuesday in Youngstown Municipal Court. D'Alesio said he expects both men to face federal prosecution.