Omari Clifton, a 43-year-old resident of Garfield Heights, Ohio, was sentenced on Apr. 1 to more than 24 years in prison for selling illegal drugs and possessing firearms as a felon.
Clifton received a sentence of 292 months from U.S. District Judge Patricia A. Gaughan after being convicted of several charges: possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, possession with intent to distribute cocaine, felon in possession of a firearm—following prior convictions for drug trafficking in both 2021 and 2018, drug possession in 2015, and felonious assault in 2013—and possessing a firearm while committing a drug trafficking crime. He will also serve four years of supervised release after his prison term.
According to court documents, authorities began investigating suspected crack cocaine trafficking in Northeast Ohio during October 2024. Clifton was identified as the trafficker under investigation. In December that year, officers executed a search warrant at his home where they found fentanyl, cocaine, crack cocaine prepared for distribution, scales and baggies used for packaging drugs, multiple cellphones and cash. Officers also seized two loaded handguns—a Smith & Wesson nine-millimeter pistol and a Glock .40 caliber handgun—as well as ammunition.
The investigation involved the Southeast Area Law Enforcement Task Force working together with the FBI Cleveland Division Cartel, Gang, Narcotics, and Laundering Task Force.
Assistant United States Attorney Payum Doroodian prosecuted the case on behalf of the Northern District of Ohio.
