Three suspects accused of illegally conveying contraband into Ohio prisons including the Ross County Correctional Institution have been indicted on conveyance-related charges in Franklin County.
According to a release from the Ohio State Highway Patrol on Tuesday, May 9th, the three suspects were indicted on a combined 116 counts of conveyance-related charges following a joint investigation conducted by the State Patrol’s Office of Investigative Services and the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation & Correction’s Chief Inspector’s Office.
The nearly year-long investigation began on May 28th of 2021 when a drone containing contraband was located inside the perimeter fence of the Toledo Correctional Institution.
The investigation led authorities to three suspects, Robert A. Faulkner, 33, of Columbus; Cory A. Sutphin, 28, of Grove City; and Charles Gibbs, 33, of Sandusky.
The three suspects are accused of using drone technology to convey illegal drugs, phones, and other contraband onto the grounds of the Ross County Correctional Institution as well as corrections facilities in Toledo, Mansfield, Richland, and Marion.
As part of the investigation, a search warrant served in November of 2021 at Robert A. Faulkner’s residence in Columbus turned up nearly $320,000 worth of illegal drugs, weapons, and cell phones. The seized items were suspected to have been intended for use in future conveyance operations at other Ohio corrections facilities.
The three suspects were indicted on the felony charges on April 7th of 2023. Robert A. Faulkner faces 60 felony level charges. Charles Gibbs faces 30 felony level charges and Cory Sutphin faces 26 felony counts. The charges include trafficking and possession of cocaine and a fentanyl-related compound, possession of criminal tools, aggravated possession of drugs, engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, and possession of weapons under disability.
If convicted, Faulkner could face a maximum of 142 years in prison; Sutphin could face a maximum of 69 years in prison; and Gibbs could face a maximum of 83 years and six months in prison.
Additional photos of the drone located at the Toledo Correctional Institution and items seized during the November 2021 search warrant are available HERE.