Man pleads guilty to drug charges but still ducks part of age question

The Columbus Dispatch

The Mexican man accused of operating a drug ring that supplied marijuana to tattoo-shop owner Edward Rife – whose connections with Ohio State University football players created a huge scandal last year -- pleaded guilty today to two felonies in federal court.

And perhaps just as importantly, he finally admitted that he was an adult when he committed the crimes...[Full Article]

One of three Ohio businessmen arrested wanted by immigration authorities

November 30, 2011

GEORGETOWN, Ohio | Two Ohio businessmen arrested for trafficking in synthetic drugs K2 and bath salts have been released from the Brown County Adult Detention Center on bond.

The third remains in jail after police determined he was an illegal alien wanted by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement authorities.

Bhuvnesh Parekh, 38, of Georgetown and Ravi Singh, 41, of Morehead, were both released on $50,000 surety bonds, according to the Brown County Sheriff's Office. Parekh had managed the Wild Willies gas station in Georgetown, while Singh managed the Valero gas station in Aberdeen, Ohio.

For Yogesh Patel, 32, of Georgetown, bond was also set at $50,000, according to police. However, Sheriff Dwayne Wenninger said Patel was determined to be an illegal alien so a detainer has been placed on him. Patel will be picked up by immigration authorities once his case in Brown County is resolved, according to police. Patel had managed the Shell gas station in Georgetown.

The three men were arrested Nov. 21 by the Brown County Sheriff's Office for multiple felony charges of trafficking and illegal possession of drugs.

Read more: http://www.maysville-online.com/news/local/article_112998e2-3df0-59c8-9ce9-634c9980361e.html#ixzz1fZl459o7

Dayton laying-out welcome mat for illegal aliens
(Dayton, Ohio - 10/11/11)

Dayton, OH – Last week, the Dayton City Commission unanimously approved what they call the "Welcome Dayton" initiative to attract more immigrants and generally make the city more immigrant-friendly. Under the plan the city will request federal money to teach immigrants English and will lobby both the state and federal governments for more so-called “pro-immigration” laws.

City Manager Tim Riordan told the crowd at last week’s meeting: “Critics conveniently connect the word 'immigrant' with the word 'illegal' when talking about the Welcome Dayton plan, but that's not what this initiative is all about. We have many good people from all nationalities coming here to invest in the community and to build a better life. The same thing is happening in cities and towns across the country. Our local colleges and universities see the benefits of this movement and are actively recruiting more foreign-born students. This is the reality of a world that is getting smaller and smaller, so we should take advantage of the opportunities that are at hand.”

While Riordan claims that the plan is not designed to turn Dayton in a ‘sanctuary city’ for illegal aliens, two key points of the program will make it much easier for illegal aliens to live and work in the city...[Full Article]

Canton cab driver shot to death in New Franklin

Canton Repository

August 15, 2011


Raul Benitez-Maranon

NEW FRANKLIN — Police are trying to sort out why a man shot a Canton cab driver 10 times, killing him Sunday evening.

The shooting occurred after Jerry Laury, who drove for Yellow Cab, dropped off a fare at an apartment building in the 5100 block of S. Main Street in this southern Summit County community. Police have arrested the cab rider, Raul Benitez-Maranon, 27, who apparently was staying at the apartment building.

Witnesses told police that a man fitting Maranon’s description stood next to the cab and fired a gun into the window. The shooting occurred at about 5:45 p.m.

Gary Guenther, chief investigator for the Summit County Medical Examiner’s office, said the 61-year-old Laury was shot 10 times in his head and chest. Laury died at the scene.

Police arrested Maranon minutes after the shooting. He is being held in the Summit County Jail after being charged with aggravated murder.

Although Maranon is using the S. Main Street address, police aren’t certain he lives there. Police Chief Daniel G. Davidson said officers believe Maranon is a Mexican national and are investigating to determine how he entered the country.

“He’s not a confirmed U.S. citizen,” Davidson said...[Full Article]