3 local men among 37 charged by federal grand jury for drugs, money laundering

The locals include: Daniel Simons, 45, and Maurice Jackson, 50, both of Hamilton, and Yosi Ilouz, 42, of Mason.

According to the indictment, beginning in March 2016 and continuing through October 2019, the defendants conspired to possess with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl, 500 grams or more of methamphetamine and five kilograms or more of cocaine, according to the release.

The indictment alleges two Cincinnati businesses were used to launder proceeds from the narcotics conspiracy: Tri-State Jeweler on Race Street and Nationwide Automotive on Vine Street. It is alleged that cash was kept stored at both locations. The cash was then allegedly concealed and packaged to be transported to and from the Cincinnati region.

According to the 15-count indictment, between December 2018 and April 2019, the defendants stored, at least temporarily, approximately $2.5 million at Tri-State Jeweler.

For example, Tri-State Jeweler accepted $1,400 in cash for a diamond pendant necklace in May 2019, $15,000 for the purchase of a diamond ring in June 2019 and $4,000 for the purchase of a diamond ring in July 2019, officials said.

Also in July 2019, Nationwide Automotive accepted $38,800 in alleged narcotics proceeds for the purchase of a vehicle.

It is alleged at least $800,000 was laundered at Nationwide Automotive between November 2018 and April 2019.

The suspects are also charged with maintaining drug premises on Prosser and Glenmore avenues in Cincinnati.

The government has seized more than $500,000 in cash, 19 pounds of fentanyl, three pounds of heroin, 100 pounds of cocaine, 42 pounds of methamphetamine, 47 weapons, 12 vehicles, the jewelry store inventory, assorted jewelry belonging to defendants and residences valued at approximately $1.1 million total thus far in this case, officials said.

Those also charged include: Jose Daniel Zazueta-Hernandez, 40, Wisconsin; Derrick Bryant, 39, Cincinnati; William F. Graham, III, 52, Cincinnati; Carlos Flores-Inzunza, 31, Sinaloa, Mexico; Jose Toquillas-Felix, 32, Cincinnati; Lashone Isom, 42, Cincinnati; Daniel Montez Blaine, 50, Cincinnati; Francisco Casique, 24, California; Raymond James Edwards Jr., 53, Cincinnati; Christopher Engle, 48, Cincinnati; Radee Garrett, 39, Cincinnati; Carl Rena Gilbert, 60, Cincinnati; Cardale A. Goens, 32, Cincinnati; Ayman Anis Al Hajjeh, 27, Wisconsin; Xingui Lin, 39, Chicago; Frances Alexia Mercado, 24, Atlanta; Kymyatta Oatis, 50, Cincinnati; Ernesto Rincon, 24, Wisconsin; Andre Robinson, 37, Cincinnati; Joel Salcedo, 23, Las Vegas; Robert Smith, 60, Cincinnati; Christopher William Talley, 36, Cincinnati; Donald Thompson, 41, Cincinnati; Vilma Vidal-Flores, 47, Las Vegas; Harold Lamar Walker, 41, Cincinnati; Stefan Walker, 42, Cincinnati; Min Wang, 32, Chicago; Nicholas White, 41, Cincinnati; Brandon Terrell Willis, 43, Cincinnati; Maurice Ringwood, 45, Cincinnati; Ivan Courtney Johnson, 39, Cincinnati; Vyacheslav Minyalo, 46, Cincinnati; Dewayne Lamont Walker, 47, Cincinnati; and Brady Cunningham, 53, Cincinnati.

The narcotics conspiracy is punishable by a mandatory minimum of 10 years up to life in prison. The money laundering conspiracy is punishable by up to 20 years in prison.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), United States Marshals Service, and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) assisted in arrests.

Members of the DEA’s Task Force include: Cincinnati, Golf Manor, West Chester, Norwood, Montgomery, Colerain, Springfield Township, Delhi Township, Harrison, Kenton County, Covington, Florence and Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport police departments, Hamilton County and Boone County sheriff’s offices, the Ohio Attorney General’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI), Ohio National Guard, Butler County Undercover Regional Narcotics Task Force, Ohio State Highway Patrol and Kentucky State Police.