4 face charges after Juggalo concert
NEWARK - A suspect who allegedly used a loudspeaker to advertise drugs for sale was just one of the arrests to come out of the multiday Gathering of the Juggalos music event.
Four people were charged Monday with offenses, including Malik H. Ahmad, 38, and his girlfriend, Jessica Reyes, 20, both of Wisconsin. Both were arrested Friday after an undercover Licking County Sheriff's Office deputy observed Ahmad "speaking on a loud speaker advertising cocaine for sale," according to court records.
The deputy reported observing multiple sales of cocaine and asked uniformed deputies to arrest Ahmad and seize a white bag that appeared to be being used to store the drugs before they were sold.
When deputies arrived, Ahmad reportedly handed the bag off to Reyes, who fled the area. Deputies had to use a stun gun to subdue Ahmad as he continued to resist arrest, according to court documents.
Reyes was tracked down by deputies and also arrested. The white bag was found to contain about 100 grams of cocaine, as well as a large amount of heroin, a large amount of money and drug paraphernalia.
Ahmad was charged with trafficking in cocaine, a first-degree felony that carries a mandatory prison sentence if he is convicted. His bond was set at $100,000 during a bond hearing Monday.
Reyes was charged with tampering with evidence, a third-degree felony. Her bond was set at $50,000 during a hearing Monday.
Also on Saturday, deputies arrested 31-year-old Columbus resident Kimmy V. Gable after he was reportedly spotted with a cardboard sign advertising cocaine, marijuana, ketamine and beer.
An undercover officer observed Gable sell substances from a green backpack to concertgoers, according to court records.
The backpack was found to contain about 25 grams of cocaine, some of which was packaged for sale; a crystalline substance; marijuana; and drug paraphernalia, court records said.
Gable was charged with trafficking in cocaine, a second-degree felony that has a mandatory prison sentence if he is convicted. His bond was set at $20,000 during a bond hearing Monday.
On Sunday, an undercover officer reported observing two men filling balloons with what appeared to be nitrous oxide from a tank and selling those balloons to concertgoers. According to court records, the concertgoers were observed inhaling from the balloons and getting high.
The undercover officer approached the men and was reportedly sold a balloon for $5 by Jordan Black, 29, of Warren.
Black was arrested without incident and charged with trafficking in harmful intoxicants, a fifth-degree felony. His bond was set at $5,000 during a hearing Monday.
Col. Chad Dennis said in total, six arrests were made during the multiday event. In 2015, 10 arrests were made at the venue, and charges were filed at a later date against a number of other attendees.
The concert event was hosted at Legend Valley Music Center in Thornville between Wednesday and Sunday. It has taken place at the venue the last three years and features music by multiple bands, including Insane Clown Posse.