Pre trials held in heroin cases

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

Pretrial hearings took place Friday in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court for 37 people accused of either distributing or using heroin.

The cases were assigned to the courtroom of Judge Shirley Christian. But there were so many defendants, attorneys and spectators that two courtrooms were used, as hearings took place in the courtroom of Judge John Durkin, conducted by a magistrate.

Most of those on hand waived their rights to a speedy trial, and some bonds also were modified. Several of the defendants who were arraigned July 23 have been released on bond since then.

At least one defendant applied to have her case heard in the court’s Drug Court.

The 37 were secretly indicted by a grand jury July 23. Prosecutors allege about a dozen people had leadership roles in the ring actively selling drugs, and they face charges ranging from engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, trafficking in heroin and complicity to drug trafficking. Some of them also were indicted under a repeat drug-offender specification because they have been convicted before of dealing drugs. Those charges are first- or second-degree felonies.

The remainder of those in the ring face charges for using the drugs, and face counts of possession of heroin, either a fourth- or fifth-degree felony, depending on the amount of heroin they are accused of possessing.