Harrison Police: Gangs, Residents Involved In Crystal Meth Dealing Operation

By Mike Perleberg File photo (Harrison, Oh.) - Harrison residents, members of a motorcycle club, and a prison gang are among those arrested in connection with a crystal methamphetamine dealing ring. Harrison Police have announced 15 arrests for 22 felony counts including drug trafficking and drug possession. A related federal indictment includes 16 adults on felony drug trafficking allegations. The arrests took place in Harrison and West Harrison last year with the assistance of the Hamilton County SWAT Team, Indiana State Police SWAT Team, Drug task Force agents, and federal agents. The arrests were the culmination of a three-year investigation started by Harrison Police Officer Chris MacMurdo, who was assigned to the Drug Abuse Reduction Task Force. HPD Lt. Det. Steven Mathews says that as MacMurdo’s investigation began, it quickly developed into a multi-state drug trafficking case involving kilos of crystal meth, or ice, being transported to Harrison each month. The drugs were distributed through a network of two dozen dealers. “Conspirators in this drug trafficking investigation included a prison gang in Georgia, an outlaw motorcycle club and local Harrison residents,” Mathews said. In 2014, the investigation was adopted by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force, a federal program established in 1982 to mount a comprehensive attack against organized drug traffickers. Then in 2015, local, state and federal authorities carried out raids in Harrison and West Harrison serving multiple narcotics search warrants and arrest warrants. Those facing state charges include:

Steve “Julio” Ashcraft, 55

Junita “Mamacita” Deleon, 33

Luis Gonzalez, 20

Michael Gray, 42

Stacey “Ice Queen” Howell, 39

Norman “Flacco” Kuhbander, 51

Justin Kuhling, 40

Ralph “Ritchie” Littleton, 42

Mike “Mook” Peters, 50

Zak Steelman, 38

Randy “Duke” Wallace, 34

Ronald “Luke” Wallace, 34

Donnie White, 20

Ashley Wilson, 20

Tom Wilson, 42