2 Springfield men indicted for trafficking elephant tranquilizer

Two Springfield men have been federally indicted for trafficking more than 10 grams of carfentanil, an opioid 100 times stronger than fentanyl that is used as an elephant tranquilizer.

Christian O. Dearmond, 24, and Craig H. Gilbreath Jr., 18, were indicted Dec. 14 in Dayton’s U.S. District Court for possession with intent to distribute more than 10 grams of carfentanil.

READ MORE: Springfield man indicted on trafficking, possession charges

The direct indictments came after both originally faced state charges.

According to an affidavit, Gilbreath had 18.2 grams of a white powder resembling cocaine and, while initially fleeing June 5, threw two bags into the gutter at the intersection of Olive and Cassilly streets.

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When stopped, Gilbreath said, “It was just weed,” according to the complaint.

According to a police report, Dearmond was found with a digital scale, three blue pills and a white substance along with torn lottery tickets, a green substance and $1,705 cash.

Dearmond was a passenger in a vehicle stopped by police because the registered owner had a suspended driver’s license, police wrote.

RELATED: Drugs, overdoses never-ending battle for Springfield police

In Dearmond’s case, federal prosecutors have moved for pretrial detention without bond due to several factors. They include that the maximum sentence is 10 years or more and that there is “a serious risk that the defendant will flee.”

No date for Dearmond’s detention hearing was listed in court records.

Both men are being held in the Clark County Jail, according to online jail records.

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During Dearmond's Nov. 27 arrest on traffic warrants, Springfield police said drugs continually fell from his clothes as he was booked into jail.

Gilbreath also has been charged in Clark County Municipal Court with two counts of weapons under disability, carrying a concealed weapon and having firearms in motor vehicle.

A message seeking comment was left with prosecutors. No defense attorneys are listed in court records.

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