COLUMBUS, Ohio – A Canal Winchester man pleaded guilty in federal court Friday to charges of conspiracy and money laundering for his role in a drug ring.
William Totten, 52, admitted that he was responsible for distribution of more than five kilograms of cocaine in central Ohio, according to the office of U.S. Attorney Carter Stewart. Totten and four others were charged in January following a cooperative investigation by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies.
About 20 kilograms of cocaine were seized when authorities executed a search warrant at his Canal Winchester home in December 2013.
Prosecutors say Totten was using homes in Columbus and Canal Winchester to store narcotics and to conduct cocaine transactions.
Four others charged with Totten have pleaded guilty: Andre Broom, 47, of Columbus; Christafer Jackson, 31, of Pickerington; Donald Jordan, 51, of Columbus, and Lawrence Beavers, 46, of Springfield.
Broom was sentenced on Aug. 19 to 36 months in prison. The others are awaiting sentencing.
At the time of the indictment, authorities also seized cash, jewelry and three houses in Columbus Stewart says were bought with proceeds of illegal activities and forfeiture of cash and jewelry.