4 charged in alleged meth-trafficking ring in Greene County

Four people face felony charges for allegedly conspiring to distribute methamphetamine in Greene County, and Fairborn police are asking for the public’s help in locating one of the suspects.

An arrest warrant has been issued for 32-year-old Christopher Howard, who faces felony charges of engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity and aggravated trafficking and possession of drugs, according to Suzanne Schmidt, first assistant prosecutor in Greene County.

Daniel A. Blair, 33, Dana R. Shelton, 36, and David M. Suarez, 33, have each been indicted on first degree felonies of engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, as well as second degree felony charges of aggravated possession and trafficking in drugs, according to records with the Greene County Clerk of Courts.

Blair, Shelton and Suarez are being held in the Greene County Jail on $200,000 bonds, according to jail records.

Howard posted bond in June, but he is currently at large, Schmidt said.

Schmidt said more than 200 grams of methamphetamine were seized as part of the investigation by the Greene County Agencies for Combined Enforcement, otherwise known as the ACE Task Force. She said they are being tried under Ohio’s version of the federal RICO law.

“This group is associated together for the goal of distributing of methamphetamine,” Schmidt said.

Howard was arrested in May when he drove Shelton’s vehicle to the Fairborn police station on Hebble Avenue and waited while a passenger went inside to collect belongings left from a previous arrest and booking, according to the statement of facts on file with Fairborn Municipal Court.

Police said officers became suspicious when the female passenger appeared intoxicated and urinated on herself while talking to a dispatcher in the police department’s lobby.

The officers went outside and interviewed Howard and his other passenger, learning that Howard had a suspended driver’s license and had “prior drug-related contacts,” according to the statement of facts.

A search of the vehicle, which was registered to Shelton, revealed approximately 135 grams of methamphetamine stowed away in the spare tire compartment, according to the statement of facts.

Police later learned that Shelton admitted the meth was hers and she directed Howard the previous day to pick up the drugs from a hotel in Montgomery County, according to the statement of facts.

Schmidt said Blair was arrested in February for possession of approximately 59 grams of meth. Evidence discovered later tied him to the drug-trafficking ring, she said.

If you can help Fairborn police locate Howard, call the dispatch center at 937-754-3000.

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