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
House explosion in Cleveland’s Slavic Village neighborhood catches neighboring houses on fire
CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – A house explosion in Cleveland’s Slavic Village neighborhood caught its two neighboring houses and a car on fire and covered the street in thick smoke.
The family who lived in the house that exploded was not home at the time, Cleveland Fire confirmed.
Cleveland EMS told 19 News that paramedics evaluated a 14-year-old boy in stable condition and will be transported by private vehicle for medical assistance.
All residents were safely evacuated and are being assisted by the Red Cross.
The houses are in the 5900 block of Cable Avenue, east of Broadway.
The two-story house that exploded collapsed after noon, Cleveland Fire confirmed.
The explosion and blaze caught the neighboring houses on both sides on fire, Cleveland Fire said.
Below is raw video our 19 News crews captured on scene:
Our cameras captured a first responder carrying a young child on the street away from the home, but it is unknown which house the child lived in.
Cleveland Fire said that 10 companies and 45 firefighters had all fires under control in an hour and a half.
Clouds of smoke filled the nearby streets, creating dangerously low visibility and difficult breathing conditions.
The plume of smoke could be seen for miles, even in downtown Cleveland and Parma.
The cause of the explosion and the estimated damage amount have yet to be determined. Enbridge Gas is on scene, and 19 News is waiting to hear back.
Return to 19 News for updates.
Copyright 2026 WOIO. All rights reserved.
CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – The 17-year-old boy accused of a deadly shooting at a Cleveland deli, pleaded not guilty at his arraignment in Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas Thursday.
Royal King was indicted on the charges of aggravated murder, murder, felonious assault, carrying concealed weapons, and improperly handling firearms in a motor vehicle.
King will continue being held on a $1 million bond at the Cuyahoga County Juvenile Detention Facility.
He will return to court on March 2 for a pre-trial.
King is accused of killing Jahari Stegall, 17, on Sept. 19, 2025 at the E. 185th Deli in the city’s Northshore Collinwood neighborhood.
PREVIOUS STORY: Teen identified after shooting death at Cleveland deli
King allegedly drove to the deli in a stolen car and walked through the aisles.
Security cameras then show Stegall walking through the parking lot.
King allegedly met Stegall at the door with a gun in his hand and shot him in the back of the head before fleeing the scene.
Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael O’Malley said Stegall was a good kid who barely knew King.
U.S. Marshals arrested King on Oct. 29, 2025 at home on E. 147th Street in Cleveland.
Copyright 2026 WOIO. All rights reserved.
OHIO — The Ohio Emergency Management Agency, in partnership with the National Weather Service offices in Wilmington and Cleveland, is partnering with Lamar Advertising to help expand the Ohio Traveler Alert System to more parts of the state.
Ohio EMA said the system will soon include areas of greater Cleveland, Toledo and the Cincinnati Metropolitan area.
“Severe weather can make driving difficult and dangerous,” said Gov. Mike DeWine, R-Ohio. “By expanding the Ohio Traveler Alert System, our goal is to get critical weather alerts to more drivers in real-time.”
The system was launched in 2024 in the areas of Dayton and Columbus. If there’s severe weather, digital billboards display messages alerting travelers about certain conditions, such as high winds, snow squalls, ice and flooding.
“Collaborations like these are the backbone of community safety,” said Sima Merick, Ohio Emergency Management Agency executive director. “When we work together, we strengthen our ability to protect the people we serve. OTAS is a prime example of these partnerships.”
Ohio EMA said the communication and messaging on billboards is not only an effective way to communicate to Ohio residents but also to travelers who may not be familiar with the area.
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