1 charged in suspected ring

Staff report

Canfield

City police arrested another person related to a suspected pseudoephedrine ring.

Angel Mendez Jr., 28, of Youngstown, is charged with four counts of unlawful purchase of pseudoephedrine, an over-the-counter medication commonly used in the production of methamphetamine.

Mendez is one of at least 11 adults arrested since Aug. 12 in relation to the suspected ring, which police and the Drug Enforcement Administration Task Force began investigating in December 2009, according to a police report.

Others charged are: Anthony Torres Jr., 21, of Warren; Alisha Overton, 20, of Warren; Samantha Hazelbaker, 18, of Warren; Christopher Woloschak, 25, of Youngstown; Michael Overton, 21, of Cortland; Maurice Bryant, 21, of Warren; James Mrofchak, 37, of Girard; Jessica Saddler, 18; of Girard; Tiffany Wilson, 24, of Warren; and Melanie Holbrook, 19, of Niles.

Each suspect is charged with at least one count of unlawful purchase of pseudoephedrine, according to the report.

Police said the investigation was initiated because some of the suspects frequently purchased the drug at the Giant Eagle pharmacy in Canfield. Investigators then determined that several pharmacies throughout Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana counties were also targeted.

Canfield Detective Josh Wells declined to comment while the investigation continues.

Alisha Overton pleaded no contest Sept. 14 in Mahoning County Area Court in Canfield to one count of unlawful purchase of pseudoephedrine and was found guilty. Two other identical charges were dropped. She was fined $1,000 and sentenced to 180 days in Mahoning County jail with the sentence suspended. She was placed on one year’s probation.

Torres is scheduled for a pretrial hearing at 5:30 p.m. today. Michael Overton and Bryant are scheduled for pretrials Friday; Hazelbacker and Woloschak on Wednesday; Wilson and Holbrook on Sept. 30; and Saddler and Mrofchak on Oct. 19.