AKRON, Ohio – Joshua Fortson, 37, of Akron, has been sentenced to 29 years in prison by U.S. District Court Chief Judge Sara Lioi. A federal jury found him guilty of distributing methamphetamine, possessing methamphetamine with intent to distribute, and illegally possessing a firearm and ammunition as a felon. Fortson had prior convictions for cocaine trafficking in 2009 and sexual battery in 2011.
Federal investigators discovered that Fortson sourced methamphetamine from Georgia-based suppliers tied to the MS-13 gang. He hired a driver to transport the drugs from Atlanta to Akron while he followed closely behind on the 700-mile journey.
Once back in Akron, Fortson operated his drug business from his apartment, supplying meth and other substances to individuals across Portage and Summit Counties.
In 2019, while on supervised release from a previous prison sentence, parole officers visited Fortson’s residence and found him in violation of his release terms. A subsequent search uncovered $26,275 in cash, a loaded pistol, and multiple bags of suspected methamphetamine concealed in 18 chip bags and a breakfast pastry box. Authorities also found a heat sealer used to reseal the drug-filled bags. Investigators determined Fortson possessed over seven kilograms of meth for distribution.
The case was investigated by the DEA Youngstown Field Office, the Streetsboro Police Department, and the Portage County Drug Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Yasmine Makridis prosecuted the case.
