Firearms, drugs, $15K seized in Marion raid
Two Marion Township residents were taken into custody Thursday as METRICH-MARMET detectives seized 622 grams of cocaine and 319 grams of heroin along with a rifle, shotgun, handgun and $15,613 in cash, according to the Marion County Sheriff's Office.
William Maniaci, 33, was arrested on first-degree felony charges of possession of heroin and possession of cocaine. Shada Reece, 28, was arrested on charges of possession of cocaine, a first-degree felony; tampering with evidence, a third-degree felony, and permitting drug abuse, a fifth-degree felony. Both lived at 860 Kibby Drive, Apt. C, the location where a search warrant was served, and they were taken to the Multi-County Correctional Center.
The rifle and handgun were in Maniaci's possession when he was arrested outside his apartment, according a news release issued by sheriff's Maj. Aaron Corwin.
"This is a significant operation shut down today and a large amount of drugs were stopped from being distributed in our community," Sheriff Tim Bailey said in the release. "I and Chief Collins will continue to support METRICH-MARMET in any way we can and provide the resources for battling the drugs in our community."
The amount of drugs seized indicates the Marion County Prosecutor's Office could request major drug offender specifications be attached if the case leads to an indictment in the Marion County Common Pleas Court. Under Ohio law, an indictment can list an individual as a major drug offender for the possession of more than 100 grams of cocaine or more than 250 grams of heroin.
Marion Police Lt. Chris Adkins said the operation began around 5:45 p.m., and the news release said that additional deputies and city officers assisted METRICH-MARMET detectives in serving the warrant.
William Maniaci's cousin, 22-year-old Shon Maniaci, was arrested in April on drug charges as well and Adkins alleged there was "absolutely" a criminal connection between them.
"They were working as a drug trafficking organization," he said, but would not identify others involved.
Shon Maniaci was arrested on April 7 at his brother Rocky's residence, according to Marion police, after being at large for two months after a February search of Shon's residence. Adkins alleged Rocky Maniaci harbored his brother, and he has pleaded not guilty to an obstructing justice felony charge that is pending in Marion County court.
Shon Maniaci has pleaded not guilty to a first-degree felony charge of cocaine possession and a second-degree felony charge of heroin possession. Trials for the two brothers are scheduled for October.
When the METRICH-MARMET Drug Task Force searched Shon Maniaci's residence in February, Adkins said they found 84 grams of crack cocaine, 50 grams of marijuana, 39 grams of heroin and 4 grams of cocaine, along with a stolen firearm and $4,000.
Originally printed in the Marion Star on August 12, 2016.