MUSKINGUM COUNTY, Ohio — Fourteen individuals are facing drug charges in Ohio, accused of allegedly selling “faces.”
Muskingum County Prosecutor Ron Welch announced that, following years of investigation by the Ohio State Highway Patrol, the 14 defendants have been indicted in connection with a drug ring operated out of the Ohio prison system.
According to officials, the charges involve a pattern of organized corrupt activity, in which inmates from Muskingum County and other areas collaborated with their girlfriends and family members to smuggle drugs into Ohio prisons and launder the proceeds.
Authorities claim the defendants allegedly earned hundreds of thousands of dollars selling “faces,” which are small squares of paper dipped in methamphetamine or suboxone, a drug commonly abused but marketed as a treatment for opioid addiction.
Those charged in the prison operation include:
• Justin A. Alexander, age 45, of Zanesville, currently serving a 25-year sentence
• Lisa A. Davis, age 49, of Zanesville, Alexander’s sister
• Tondalea R. Hale, age 54, of Zanesville, Alexander’s aunt
• Jessica A. Queen, age 46, of Belpre, Alexander’s girlfriend
• Kashawn “Duda” Cox, age 28, of Zanesville, currently serving a 7-year sentence
• Michelle J. Lang, age 27, of Columbus, Cox’s girlfriend
• Emily P. Goodrich, age 27, of Columbus, the mother of Cox’s child
• Ken D. Gatlin, II, age 28, of Zanesville, currently serving a 16-year sentence
• Vanita L. McCrae, age 42, of Zanesville, Gatlin’s sister
• Randall “Bub” Cremeans, age 39, of Zanesville, currently serving a 30-year sentence
• Kyle “White Boy” Ross, age 34, of Marion, recently released from prison on post-release control
• Jamaull D. Jones, Jr., age 27, of Cleveland, currently serving a 6-year sentence out of Cuyahoga County
• Heaven R. Gouldlock, age 26, of Cleveland, Jones’s girlfriend
• Sasha M. Hill, age 25, of Cleveland, Jones’s sister
Officials state that investigators unearthed the plot through the discovery of drug shipments, phone smuggling, and an elaborate scheme to publish and sell a novel-style book with drug-soaked pages.
Muskingum County Assistant Prosecutor John Litle emphasized that the office is leading the prosecution of the case.
“Prison isn’t a money-making experience, and the only way to make money in prison is through corrupt activity,” Litle said. “We may not have a prison in Muskingum County, but the money was laundered here, and most of the folks involved came from here, so we will be taking on the prosecution of this situation.”
Litle advises those approached to participate in money-making schemes with inmates to refrain from involvement.
“Just don’t do it,” Litle said. “Inmates have money on their books for legitimate prison expenditures. If they need help, it’s fine to put money on their books. It is obvious that paying money to a person outside the prison for the benefit of a prisoner is a transaction for drugs or contraband. Do not let someone who has damaged their own life with their own bad decisions rope more people into the system.”
