Arrested in sting

Arrested in sting

AUSTINTOWN

Police arrested a woman on charges of soliciting sex and possessing drug paraphernalia in a sting operation Wednesday afternoon.

Police said Victoria Gainard, 28, of Youngstown posted an ad on an online classified site under the headline “Little Irish Beauty-25.” The posting advertised a beautiful brunette named Molli looking for someone that wants to have as much fun as she does. Services ranged from $70 to $130.

Police responded to the ad and were met by Gainard at a local motel. After placing her under arrest, they said they found a spoon with suspected heroin residue, two syringes and a crack pipe in her purse.

Gainard told police she has been engaging in prostitution to support her five-year addiction to heroin. She will appear in Mahoning County Area Court here.

Anabolic-steroids case

YOUNGSTOWN

Two Mahoning County men were charged in federal court in Cleveland with illegally importing anabolic steroids from China, U.S. Attorney Carole S. Rendon said Thursday.

James A. Cleeland, 50, of Berlin Center, and Christopher M. Stanec, 40, also known as Michael Stanec and Mark Conner, of Canfield, were charged in a one-count information with conspiracy to import and distribute steroids.

The government contends Cleeland and Stanec, in 2013, conspired with other people to import and to possess with intent to distribute 298.3 grams or more of anabolic steroids.

It was part of the conspiracy that Stanec and Cleeland imported anabolic steroids from sources located in China. It was further part of the conspiracy that Stanec agreed to receive the anabolic steroids from China and then provide them to Cleeland, according to the information.

The investigation was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.

Kindergarten event

YOUNGSTOWN

Stambaugh Charter Academy, 2420 Donald Ave., is hosting a kindergarten information meeting at 11:30 a.m. today.

Parents will learn about the school’s educational benefits, meet the staff and take a tour of the West Side building.

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