COLUMBUS, Ohio — In Columbus, Ohio, a local man and his supplier from Arizona have admitted to their involvement in a scheme to unlawfully distribute over 400 grams of fentanyl in the city in 2023.
According to legal documents, 26-year-old Ontario M. Yarbrough of Columbus ran a drug operation in the city’s Hilltop neighborhood. From April to October 2023, Yarbrough received five packages and tracked at least 13 packages shipped from Arizona to Columbus. At least two of these packages, which were sent by 46-year-old Jose Ruben Leyva of Buckeye, Arizona, and other accomplices, were found to contain fentanyl. Yarbrough collected these packages from various locations across the city.
After Yarbrough received one of the packages, investigators executed a search warrant at his residence. They discovered that the package contained nearly 500 grams of fentanyl. In addition, they seized ten bags of white powder, two firearms with ammunition, cash, and drug trafficking paraphernalia from the house. A subsequent search warrant executed at Leyva’s residence in Arizona led to the recovery of fentanyl-containing pills and powder, packaging and mailing materials, other drug paraphernalia, and cash.
Leyva pleaded guilty today to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute more than 400 grams of fentanyl. Yarbrough pleaded guilty to the same charge on June 13. The offense carries a minimum sentence of ten years and a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. The court will decide on an appropriate sentence and schedule a sentencing hearing.
