LIMA — A man charged as one of the principal players in a $330,000 heroin bust last month pleaded not guilty Monday to all charges against him.
Marvin Thomas, 45, of Lima, pleaded not guilty to possession of heroin, trafficking in heroin, illegal manufacturing of heroin, engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity and having a weapon under a court sanction. He faces a maximum sentence of 48 years in prison.
Three of the charges carry a major drug offender specification that carries a mandatory 11-year prison sentence. There also are forfeiture specification for two vehicles authorities said were involved in the drug activity.
Judge Jeffrey Reed reduced Thomas’ bail to $550,000 despite objections from Assistant Allen County Prosecutor Jana Emerick. Emerick said Thomas has previous felony convictions and has served time in prison. In this case, he admitted to possessing the heroin and told investigators he was moving 80 pounds of marijuana a month making $14,000 each month, Emerick said.
Reed assigned a pretrial hearing for Nov. 10.
Last week, Anthony Duvernay, 39, pleaded not guilty to the same charges except he is not charged with a weapons count.
The charges stem from a bust last month for crimes prosecutors said took place Oct. 11 to 15.
Local police leaders said the bust with heroin found in multiple vehicles, was one of the biggest in the history of the county.
Altogether, 4.4 pounds of heroin were confiscated with an estimated street value of $330,000. Authorities said heroin is a growing and dangerous problem.
Heroin typically is injected but the user has no idea how strong or pure the drug is. At least four people have overdosed and died recently.
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