Cleveland, OH
9 people indicted for illegal bar scheme throughout Cuyahoga County
CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – The Ohio Investigative Unit and Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office announced a 45-count Criminal Enterprise indictment in connection with a network of illegally operated bars across Cuyahoga County Tuesday.
The investigation uncovered a scheme in which “straw” owners purchased bars illegally as early as 2019, using illegal proceeds to continue to purchase more bars over a period of several years.
According to a press release from OIU, between 2019 and 2024, illegal were established at the following locations: Boozerz and The Bench Lounge in Euclid; Aura-Iconic and Aries Restaurant & Lounge in Garfield Heights; Night Capz and The Score in Cleveland Heights; and Bar Mayfield in South Euclid.
Investigators said that ownership of several of these businesses were later transferred to individuals with significant criminal histories, who would have been prohibited from being documented owners.
The enterprise generated nearly $4 million in illegal profits.
Investigators said that these proceeds were distributed to members of the enterprise and were used to purchase property and fund considerable personal expenses, entertainment, and leisure activities.
While being operated, these premises became significant public nuisances with frequent shootings, gun crimes, assaults, and disturbances, according to the press release. This placed a strain on local law enforcement resources and prompted numerous complaints from residents near these establishments. During the execution of search warrants in October, OIU agents seized cash, business records, and multiple firearms.
Nine people from northeast Ohio were indicted in the enterprise, including:
Randy Pittman (Age 53, of Macedonia)
– Engaging in a Pattern of Corrupt Activity
– Conspiracy
– Tampering with Records (6 counts)
– Grand Theft (4 counts)
– Money Laundering (5 counts)
Sharita Roberts (Age 42, of Newburgh Heights)
– Engaging in a Pattern of Corrupt Activity
– Conspiracy
– Tampering with Records (12 counts)
– Grand Theft (4 counts)
– Money Laundering (5 counts)
Rayshawn Duncan (Age 35, of Cleveland)
– Engaging in a Pattern of Corrupt Activity
– Conspiracy
– Tampering with Records (5 counts)
– Grand Theft (3 counts)
– Money Laundering (2 counts)
Donald King Jr. (Age 43, of Cleveland)
– Engaging in a Pattern of Corrupt Activity
– Conspiracy
– Tampering with Records (2 counts)
– Grand Theft (1 count)
– Money Laundering (1 count)
– Having Weapons Under Disability
Daryel Jones (Age 43, of Cleveland)
– Engaging in a Pattern of Corrupt Activity
– Conspiracy
– Tampering with Records (2 counts)
– Grand Theft (1 count)
– Money Laundering (1 count)
Dewayne Stewart (Age 37, of Cleveland)
– Engaging in a Pattern of Corrupt Activity
– Conspiracy
– Tampering with Records (1 count)
– Grand Theft (1 count)
– Money Laundering (1 count)
Daisha’vu O’Neal (Age 38, of Cleveland)
– Engaging in a Pattern of Corrupt Activity
– Conspiracy
– Tampering with Records (1 count)
– Grand Theft (1 count)
– Money Laundering (1 count)
Tremaine Golston (Age 35, of Cleveland)
– Tampering with Records (1 count)
Jazmyn Barrow-Stover (Age 40, of Solon)
– Tampering with Records (1 count)
In addition to the criminal indictment, 76 Administrative Violations were issued against the liquor permits in use at the involved premises. Those citations will ultimately be heard by the Ohio Liquor Control Commission, with possible sanctions including revocation of the liquor permits.
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Copyright 2024 WOIO. All rights reserved.
Cleveland, OH
Cleveland salt mine works year-round to keep Ohio roads safe
CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – Road safety across Ohio begins 1,800 feet below Lake Erie at Cleveland’s Cargill salt mine near Whiskey Island.
19 News made the journey under ground to Cleveland’s Cargill salt time.
Superintendent of production Andrew Staker describes the operation as a “mini-city” where about 250 employees produce the salt that clears our roads and sidewalks.
“We provide over half the salt used here in the state of Ohio. Our salt also goes all over the Great Lakes Region even Virginia,” said Staker.
Thousands of tons of salt pass through this belt, and 500-700 trucks are loaded with salt each day.
Staker said his team works nonstop.
“It’s a big misconception that the mine is only busy during the wintertime,” said Staker. “We prepare in the springtime, so it is full giddy up. We are making salt all year round.”
Just like everyone else, Staker and his time are feeling the effects of winter’s early arrival.
“We take a lot of it snowfall by snowfall, so as demand ramps up, our teams here will put in extra overtime days to be able to meet customer demand,” said Staker.
Copyright 2025 WOIO. All rights reserved.
Cleveland, OH
Semi-truck rips down power lines in Cleveland’s Ohio City neighborhood for 4th time since July
CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – The city of Cleveland is looking into why wires are dangling from West 25th Street in Ohio City.
Sam McNulty, owner of Nano Brew, says trucks are ripping through wires at the intersection of 25th Street and Bridge Avenue.
“4 times that cable has gone down,” McNulty said. “We’re shocked that whoever is in charge of that cable hasn’t figured out a way to elevate it a little bit more.”
In July, Ring doorbell footage caught a semi hitting the wires. You could see the wires falling to the ground.
Luckily, McNulty said, it’s a communication wire, but that doesn’t make the problem go away.
“This is a very active street tons of pedestrians, bicyclists, families, people are here almost 24 hours a day,” said McNulty.
The most recent incident was Thursday morning. McNulty says a crew wrapped ropes around the fallen wire.
“I am definitely not a line engineer but when I see random rope tied with pretty sketchy looking knots holding the cable up I think that’s probably not Osha approved,” said McNulty.
19 News reached out to the city of Cleveland, which said it is looking into the issue.
Copyright 2025 WOIO. All rights reserved.
Cleveland, OH
Ohio National Guard members from Cleveland save woman while stationed in D.C.
CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) -A group of Ohio National Guard members, some from Cleveland, saved a woman’s life last week while on the Joint Task Force D.C. mission in the nation’s capital.
According to officials with the Army, a group of four soldiers from the 323rd Military Police Company, Ohio Army National Guard were on routine patrol when they heard a husband frantically calling for help.
The group of four, including Staff Sgt. Jered Moran, Sgt. James Nelson, Sgt. Jeremiah Slagle and Spc. Gogo Simitcievski, ran about the length of a football field to see if they could help.
When they arrived they found an unresponsive 34-year-old woman in the driver’s seat of a car and found she had no pulse and was not breathing.
The team immediately began CPR and rescue breaths in shifts for about six minutes before and ambulance arrived.
“To be on this mission is an honor,” said Moran. “My Soldiers and I are proud Ohioans and are grateful for the opportunity to serve in our nation’s capital by helping others.”
Officials have confirmed the woman was taken to a local hospital and is expected to make a full recovery.
The four men were recognized at a small ceremony this week and continue their mission in D.C.
According to the Army the four, “received a Coin from the D.C. National Guard Senior Enlisted Leader, Command Sergeant Major Ronald L. Smith, recognizing them for lifesaving actions.”
Copyright 2025 WOIO. All rights reserved.
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