Mansfield man indicted in oxycodone conspiracy

A 44-year-old Mansfield man has been indicted for his reported role in a conspiracy to distribute nearly 3,000 oxycodone pills.

Myron D. Black is one of three people charged with conspiracy to mail oxycodone. The others are Chauncey L. Ransom, 49, of Inglewood, Calif., and Victor A. Hageman, 45, of Euclid, Ohio.

“Prescription pill abuse is a major problem in Ohio,” U.S. Attorney Steven Dettelbach said. “Whether it is a doctor selling prescriptions or people using the mail to ship pills across the country, we are committed to stopping the flow of illegal drugs.”

According to the indictment, Ransom obtained 2,989 pills (30 mg each) of oxycodone in California and mailed them to Black, Hageman and others in Ohio via the U.S. Postal Service Express Mail.

Ransom often packaged the pills in video movie disc covers, plastic bubble mailing envelopes and other packaging to conceal the contents, according to the indictment.

Authorities allege Black and Hageman made arrangements with other individuals to receive the package from Ransom in return for money, usually $200.

The conspiracy took place at least between August 2012 and April 2013, according to the indictment.

Investigating agencies were the METRICH Enforcement Unit, the U.S. Postal Inspection Services in Cleveland and Los Angeles, the Akron Police Department and the Los Angeles Police Department.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christian Stickan.

In April, Black and Anthony L. Bishop were arrested in the area of First and Madison avenues during a covert operation by METRICH. Investigators reported confiscating more than 1,000 oxycodone pills valued at $30,000 and a 2002 Mercedes Benz belonging to Black.

Black already was on federal parole for drug-related charges. He previously was in the news in December 1996 when he was shot in the chest. Mansfield police found him in the Vale Avenue home of his aunt.

Originally published in the News Journal on September 13, 2013.

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