Jamill H. McDonald, a 43-year-old resident of Mayfield Heights, Ohio, was sentenced to 35 years in prison after being found guilty of possessing fentanyl and cocaine with the intent to distribute. The sentence was handed by U.S. District Judge John R. Adams.
The case began on October 18, 2023, when McDonald reported a break-in at his apartment to law enforcement. Upon arriving, officers entered the premises at his invitation and investigated the apartment. They found a package suspected to contain narcotics. McDonald claimed ignorance of the package's contents, leading to his detention.
Subsequent searches revealed numerous items consistent with drug distribution in McDonald's residence. Authorities discovered baggies of marijuana or white powder and a residue-covered scale in the kitchen. In the bedroom, they found packages with white powder, multiple cellphones, and jackets containing narcotic pills and $10,200 in cash.
Laboratory tests confirmed that the substances were fentanyl, cocaine, and heroin, collectively weighing around one kilogram of cocaine, and 310 grams of fentanyl and heroin, with a street value exceeding $30,000.
McDonald's criminal history, including at least two prior felony convictions for violent crimes or controlled substance offenses, led Judge Adams to classify him as a career offender, allowing for an enhanced sentence.
The investigation was jointly conducted by the FBI and the Mayfield Heights Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Yasmine Makridis prosecuted the case for the Northern District of Ohio.