CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – Darren Lassiter of Cleveland, also referred to as “King Dinero,” was sentenced to life in prison Thursday morning.

Lassiter, previously featured on Cuyahoga’s Most Wanted was found guilty of 13 charges last month, including trafficking, rape and prostitution.

In a press release provided by Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost, Lassiter is described as having “targeted and controlled four victims through physical and sexual violence.”

He is eligible for parole after 43 1/2 to 49 1/2 years have been served.

Yost conducted the investigation alongside the Northeast Ohio Human Trafficking Task Force and Cuyahoga County Michael O’Malley, with assistance from the HEAL Human Trafficking Task Force.

“[Lassiter] capitalized on human suffering, robbing vulnerable women of dignity and self-worth,” Yost wrote in the release.

Copyright 2026 WOIO. All rights reserved.

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The National Weather Service has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Watch for 16 counties in Northeast Ohio, including the Cleveland metro area, until 9 p.m. tonight. The 3News Weather Team is closely monitoring an area of energy that is expected to spark new storms as it moves into the region, with the potential for strong winds and heavy rainfall.

Why it matters

Severe thunderstorms can bring dangerous conditions like high winds, hail, and flash flooding, posing risks to public safety and property. The Cleveland area has seen an increase in extreme weather events in recent years, making timely weather alerts and preparedness crucial for local residents.

The details

The Severe Thunderstorm Watch covers Ashland, Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, Erie, Geauga, Holmes, Huron, Lake, Lorain, Medina, Portage, Richland, Stark, Summit, Trumbull, and Wayne counties. According to the 3News Weather Team, an area of energy associated with rain and storms in Illinois is expected to transition eastward toward Ohio this afternoon. As daytime heating occurs, this energy is likely to spark new thunderstorms that could be on the stronger side as they move through the region.

• The Severe Thunderstorm Watch is in effect until 9 p.m. tonight (April 15, 2026).
• The 3News Weather Team says the storms are expected to move through the area during the afternoon hours.

What they’re saying

What’s next

Residents in the affected counties should monitor the weather closely, have a plan in place in case severe storms hit, and heed any warnings or instructions from local authorities.