RICO INDICTMENT FILED ON 4 PEOPLE INVOLVED IN MANUFACTURING AND TRAFFICKING OF COCAINE OPERATION IN COLUMBUS

Posted on 6/28/2016

Defendant: Alvin Dent, Wendell Brandon, William Walker, and Drakkar Groce

Prosecutor Ron O’Brien commented, “Due to the collaborative efforts of many we have been able to shut down the manufacturing and selling of illegal narcotics out of another location in our county.”  Prosecutor Ron O’Brien announced that on June 24th, 2016 the Franklin County Grand Jury has returned indictments against four separate individuals involved in manufacturing and trafficking cocaine operating out of a house located on Greenway Avenue.  Members of the Woodland Park Neighborhood Association have expressed deep concerns to Columbus Police Narcotics Department over the past six years as they are afraid to allow their kids to play in their own backyards due to narcotics activity at Parkwood and Greenway Avenue.  On March 29, 2016, the Columbus Police Investigative and Tactical Unit (IN/TAC) executed a search warrant, which ultimately resulted in the indictment of the four individuals as follows:

 

            Alvin Clayton Dent, Jr., age 26, Columbus, OH  43203

            Wendell Edward Brandon, age 30, Columbus, OH  43213

            William Lamont Walker, Jr., age 25, Columbus, OH  43204

            Drakkar Dashawn Groce, age 25, Columbus, OH  43203

 

            Alvin Dent, Jr., Wendell Brandon, and Drakkar Groce are all in police custody.  William Walker, Jr. has yet to be arrested on the outstanding warrant.

            The twenty-one counts in the RICO indictments include counts of Engaging in a Pattern of Corrupt Activity, Trafficking in Cocaine, Possession of Cocaine, and Illegal Manufacturing of Drugs (all with Firearm Specifications).  O’Brien commended the Columbus Police with their on-going investigation of this case. Over 28 grams of crack cocaine was seized, as well as three weapons, two of which were stolen, and $1,600 in U.S. currency.  O’Brien further stated, “One of the defendants, Drakkar Groce, was also indicted earlier this month in connection to the 2010 shooting of Alexandria Reese, which left her permanently paralyzed as a result of being struck by gunfire that broke out in a neighborhood that she and her friend happened to be driving though at the time.” 

            Alvin Dent Jr. was also arrested and indicted for Improperly Handling Firearms and Having Weapons While Under Disability out of a June 4th, 2016 traffic stop where he concealed a loaded firearm in the center console of his vehicle while being pulled over by Columbus Police Officers.  He also had over $5,500 in cash at the time of his arrest.