BILL WEST / Star Beacon
FELIPE AYALA Morell listens to his attorney Joseph Morse, Friday during Morell's arraignment in Ashtabula Muncipal Court.
Published January 31, 2009 12:43 am - Eight Ashtabula residents arrested Thursday on a wide range of drug-related charges, including trafficking in heroin, were arraigned Friday afternoon in Ashtabula Municipal Court.
DRUG SWEEP SUSPECTS APPEAR IN COURT Eight Ashtabula residents arrested on wide range of drug-related charges, including trafficking in heroin
By MARK TODD - Staff Writer - mtodd@starbeacon.com Star Beacon
ASHTABULA — Eight Ashtabula residents arrested Thursday on a wide range of drug-related charges, including trafficking in heroin, were arraigned Friday afternoon in Ashtabula Municipal Court.
At least three other suspects are being sought, and additional arrests are pending, said Ashtabula County Sheriff William Johnson.
The defendants who appeared in court Friday include a father and son, a mother and two of her sons, and a boyfriend-girlfriend duo, sources said
Depending on the charge, defendants are looking at sizable prison sentences and fines, said Judge Albert Camplese.
The defendants were “deeply involved in a long-standing well-organized enterprise to sell a massive quantity of heroin (in the area),” said Ashtabula City Solicitor Michael Franklin.
Defendants arraigned Friday were:
Felipe Ayala, 39, 2805 Lake Ave. (trafficking in heroin, trafficking, possession of heroin);
Felipe Ayala Morell, 20, 1125 Michigan Ave. (trafficking in heroin);
Jose Perez, 30, 1125 Michigan Ave., No. 2 (trafficking in heroin);
Vanessa Hurtado, 34, 518 W. 29th St. (trafficking in heroin, four counts of trafficking, two counts of possession of criminal tools, two misdemeanor counts of possession of drug paraphernalia;
Miriam Russi Diaz, 49, 3118 Johnson Court (trafficking in heroin, trafficking, possession of drugs, possession of criminal tools);
Denis Cruz Russi, 21, 518 W. 29th St. (trafficking in heroin);
Juan C. Cruz Russi, 28, 3118 Johnson Court (trafficking in heroin, possession of cocaine); and
Gilberto Torres, 29, 5012 Kain Ave. (trafficking in heroin, possession of heroin, receiving stolen property, possession of criminal tools).
A translator helped some of the defendants communicate with Camplese.
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