COLUMBUS, Ohio – A Columbus man faces life in prison after a federal jury found him guilty on all counts related to leading a sprawling network of drug trafficking, sex trafficking, and financial fraud conspiracies. The verdict, announced on Nov. 21, comes after a nearly three-week trial before Chief U.S. District Judge Sarah D. Morrison.
Ricco Lamonte Maye, 42, was convicted on all 14 charges against him, including drug trafficking that resulted in death, sex trafficking by force, and conspiracy to commit wire and mail fraud. Federal prosecutors demonstrated that Maye employed threats, violence, and exploitation of drug dependency to control his victims and further his criminal operations.
A System of Exploitation
U.S. Attorney Kenneth L. Parker described Maye as a “dangerous man” who preyed on vulnerable individuals to enrich himself. “As the government proved at trial, Maye oversaw a variety of criminal endeavors, victimizing vulnerable populations, causing the death of one addicted person, and obstructing justice in an ill-fated attempt to avoid accountability,” Parker said.
Court documents and witness testimony revealed that Maye’s drug trafficking operation primarily targeted addicts, whom he coerced into selling drugs or engaging in prostitution. Starting in 2018, Maye distributed narcotics in street-level quantities, sourcing drugs from suppliers within and outside of Ohio.
Maye also provided fentanyl to an individual who fatally overdosed in November 2018. Evidence showed that Maye had been in communication with the victim shortly before their death.
Prostitution and Abuse
Prosecutors detailed how Maye manipulated women into prostitution by initially offering free drugs and later exploiting their addiction. He arranged for hotel rooms, directed online ads, and collected all prostitution earnings. Victims who disobeyed his rules were subjected to brutal violence, including physical assaults that broke bones and knocked out teeth.
Financial Fraud Conspiracy
Maye and accomplices fraudulently applied for more than $30,000 in Pandemic Unemployment Assistance funds, diverting the money for his own use.
Obstruction and Witness Tampering
Following his 2020 indictment, Maye attempted to obstruct justice by threatening witnesses and conspiring to orchestrate the murder of a potential government informant. These actions only added to the gravity of his convictions.
Sentencing and Penalties
Maye faces a mandatory life sentence for the drug-related death conviction due to a prior federal drug trafficking conviction. Additional charges carry potential sentences ranging from 15 years to life in prison. Sentencing will be scheduled in the coming months.
This conviction marks a significant victory for federal authorities in dismantling organized crime networks that exploit the most vulnerable.