2 men indicted in heroin death cases

Two Dayton men have been federally indicted with conspiracy to distribute heroin and fentanyl that resulted in the death of at least two people, according to the United States Attorney.

Charles M. McBeath, 32, and Antonio J. Spiva, 24, were indicted on 10 counts by a federal grand jury in a case unsealed on Tuesday in Dayton’s U.S. District Court. Both are in custody in area jails.

The case grew out of the recently-formed Heroin Eradication Apprehension Team (HEAT) that includes Dayton police Chief Richard Biehl and Montgomery County Sheriff Phil Plummer.

The indictment states that from June 2014 to late May 2015, McBeath and Spiva distributed heroin and fentanyl while maintaining operations at Dayton properties on East Fifth Street, South Torrence Street and South Horton Street. The indictment alleges that distribution of fentanyl on May 25, 2015 resulted in the overdose death of Jason Robinson, 38, and Paul McElfresh, 33.

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McBeath — who goes by aliases such as “Fat Boy” and “Biggin” — and Spiva — aka “B” and “Snake” — face charges of conspiracy to distribute heroin and fentanyl, distributing fentanyl that resulted in a death, distributing and maintaining properties for the purpose of using and distributing drugs, and distribution of heroin. The charges range from minimums of five years to maximums including 20 years to life.

The HEAT initiative began in May 2015 and includes the U.S. Attorney’s Office, DEA, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Dayton Police Department, Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, Montgomery County Coroner’s Office, and the Miami Valley Regional Crime Laboratory.

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