Feds: Nine pounds of drugs found in home near Mahoning County government offices

Tyrone Crafter

YOUNGSTOWN  Federal authorities have arrested and charged a Youngstown man with possession with intent to distribute controlled substances after investigators seized more than 2,400 grams of methamphetamine and nearly 1,700 grams of suspected fentanyl from his home a couple of blocks from a building that houses major government offices.

That's a little more than 5.3 pounds of methamphetamine and almost 3.75 pounds of suspected fentanyl.

Tyrone Crafter, 31, was arrested late last week by the U.S. Marshals Service. The arrest followed a federal search warrant executed at his home on New Court, two blocks away from Oak Hill Renaissance Place, which houses the Mahoning County Board of Elections, the Department of Jobs and Family Services, and the coroner's office. 

According to a criminal complaint affidavit filed by a Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent, in addition to seizing five firearms and a digital scale from Crafter’s home, agents found a marijuana grow operation in the attic.

The investigation began in June when a confidential source told investigators that Crafter was a methamphetamine dealer operating out of his Youngstown home. The source's information was corroborated through two controlled drug buys in July, during which agents say Crafter was seen leaving his home to conduct transactions.

Following his arrest, Crafter was interviewed and allegedly admitted to knowing about the substances in his home, stating they had been there for "some months" and that if he had a way to "move it," it would have been moved. According to the affidavit, investigators interpret "move it" to mean selling controlled substances.

Crafter appeared in U.S. District court on Friday, where he was appointed a public defender.

He remains in the Mahoning County Jail awaiting a preliminary detention hearing scheduled for Tuesday.