CLEVELAND — The Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office says five people have now received prison sentenced in connection with an organized crime investigation tied to a Cleveland woman’s 2024 overdose death.
According to authorities, the five suspects pleaded guilty to various charges within the last several weeks and were given sentences that will see all spend multiple years behind bars. In addition, a sixth suspect is awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty, while a seventh is still set to go to trial.
CASE DETAILS
The investigation dates back to July 7, 2024, when police found 35-year-old Stephanie Barth dead inside her Broadview Road after she had overdosed on cocaine laced with fentanyl. Law enforcement agencies out of Cleveland then partnered with other departments in Lorain and North Ridgeville, leading to a number of searches that saw law enforcement seize “a large number of narcotics, 8 firearms, and additional evidence to further the investigation.”
Per officials, illicit drugs were traced back to a trafficking organization out of Playa Del Carmen, Mexico, with officials being able to “identify the hierarchy of this criminal enterprise.” As the investigation became one that weaved into the web of organized crime, authorities identified Demario Jones (now 28) as being a leading supplier who along with several other suspect operated a number of drug houses in the area. Jones is alleged to have supplied drugs to 30-year-old Gregory Johnson, who in turn gave drugs to two other women including 35-year-old Jasmine Faye — the one who sold the drugs that killed Barath.
SENTENCES
On Feb. 24, 2025, a group of seven people were indicted on various counts related to the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act — otherwise known as RICO. The guilty pleas began rolling in last month, with the following suspects admitting to the following charges and receiving the following sentences:
GREGORY JOHNSON
- Engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, involuntary manslaughter, trafficking in cocaine hydrochloride, trafficking in a fentanyl-related compound, illegal manufacture of drugs.
- 23-28 1/2 years in prison
ROBERT FERGUSON
- Engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, involuntary manslaughter, corrupting another with drugs, trafficking in a fentanyl-related compound, trafficking cocaine, possessing criminal tools.
- 22-27 1/2 years in prison
JASMINE FAYE
- Engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, involuntary manslaughter, corrupting another with drugs, trafficking in a fentanyl-related compound.
- 15-20 1/2 years in prison
BRITTANY WEAVER
- Attempted engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, conspiracy, attempted illegal manufacture of drugs, aggravated trafficking in drugs, permitting drug abuse.
- 6-9 years in prison.
JOSEPH CUEVAS
- Attempted engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, attempted illegal manufacture of drugs, trafficking in a fentanyl-related compound, trafficking cocaine, permitting drug abuse.
- 3 years in prison.
This past Thursday, 35-year-old Kayla McKenzie also pleaded guilty to engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, conspiracy, drug trafficking, permitting drug abuse, and possessing criminal tools. A sentencing date has not been set, but she could face more than two decades in prison…