Two Akron area residents arrested for fentanyl possession | News, Sports, Jobs

Imani Ruiz

Two Akron-area residents were arrested in Marietta last week for possession of nearly 7 grams of fentanyl.

Agents with the Southeast Ohio Major Crimes Task Force conducted a traffic stop on June 14 in the 100 block of Gross Street in Pioneer Township in Marietta when they detected the odor of burnt marijuana, according to a news release from the Washington County Sheriff’s Office.

The driver, William O’Bannon Vandkye III, 33, of Akron, consented to a search of the vehicle, during which agents found 6.7 grams of suspected fentanyl in the groin area of ​​a female passenger, who told agents that Vandyke told her to hold back the drugs when she was stopped, the news release said.

Agents questioned Vandyke about the drugs and, according to the press release, he said it was only about seven grams and not worth the agents’ time.

Vandyke was arrested and charged with third-degree drug trafficking. The passenger, Imani Denesia Ruiz, 29, of Tallmadge, Ohio, was arrested and charged with third-degree drug trafficking and third-degree fentanyl possession, the release said.

William Vandyke

Vandyke and Ruiz both appeared in Marietta City Court and were held on $25,000 bail each, the news release said.