Elyria Man Charged with Intent to Traffic Fentanyl and Illegal Possession of a Firearm

First Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle M. Baeppler announced that a federal grand jury returned a three-count indictment charging Jason Delaney, 39, of Elyria, Ohio, with possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and being a felon in possession of a firearm.

According to court documents, on March 24, 2022, law enforcement authorities arrested the defendant and executed a search warrant at his residence and for his vehicle.  These search warrants came after an investigation into the defendant and his alleged drug trafficking activities.  During the search, it is alleged that authorities obtained packages later confirmed to contain over 120 grams of fentanyl, a 9mm firearm, large amounts of U.S. currency and other drug trafficking paraphernalia. 

The defendant is prohibited from possessing a firearm due to previous convictions of drug trafficking and robbery in the Lorain County Court of Common Pleas.

This case is part of Operation Synthetic Opioid Surge (S.O.S.)., a joint law enforcement initiative that seeks to reduce the supply of deadly synthetic opioids and to identify wholesale distribution networks and international and domestic suppliers in Lorain County.

This investigation was conducted by the Elyria Police Department and the FBI, with the assistance of the Lorain Police Department and the Ohio Adult Parole Authority.  This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert J. Kolansky.