Case involving third felony drug suspect in Middletown bound over to grand jury

Bond remains at $1 million for all three men charged with felony trafficking.
Drugs and guns were seized during a search warrant in Middletown. The drugs are valued at about $750.000, according to police. SUBMITTED PHOTO

Drugs and guns were seized during a search warrant in Middletown. The drugs are valued at about $750.000, according to police. SUBMITTED PHOTO

The third man charged with felony trafficking and possession this month following a joint investigation with several Butler County agencies had his case sent to a Butler County grand jury.

Reinaldo Gomez-Cruz, 28, of New Jersey, had his case sent to a grand jury by Middletown Municipal Court Judge James Sherron.

Earlier, Sherron sent the felony cases involving Mainer Feliz, 29, of Middletown, and Emanuel Ortega-Moran, 30, of Pennsylvania, to the grand jury during their preliminary hearings.

Cash bond remained at $1 million for all three men who are in the Butler County Jail.

All three were charged Sept. 1 after a search warrant was executed in the 400 block of Cribbs Avenue in Middletown, according to Butler County Sheriff Richard Jones.

Reinaldo Gomez-Cruz, 28, of New Jersey

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Mainer Feliz, 29, of Middletown.

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Emanuel Ortega-Moran, 30, of Pennsylvania

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In total, agents seized approximately 25,000 pressed fentanyl pills, valued at $750,000, multiple loaded firearms and digital scales, Jones said.

Sgt. Rob Whitlock of the Butler County Undercover Regional Narcotics Taskforce (BURN) Unit said a search warrant was also executed on a vehicle that had been observed coming and going from the Middletown residence. The vehicle was stopped as it was leaving a Middletown area restaurant and the majority of the pills were found hidden in the vehicle, Whitlock said.

The investigation included the BURN Unit, the Drug Enforcement Agency-Cincinnati Office and the Middletown Division of Police Department.

Whitlock said due to the large amount of pills and guns, federal charges could be file against the suspects.

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