COLUMBUS, Ohio — A jury found a Columbus man guilty of leading drug, sex trafficking and financial fraud conspiracies and then attempting to obstruct justice and tamper with witnesses.
Ricco Lamonte Maye, 42, used threats, violence and manipulation of drug dependencies to make people carry out his crimes, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Ohio.
Maye was found guilty on 14 counts on Thursday following a trial that began last month.
“The jury correctly found today that Ricco Maye is a dangerous man who used violence and threats of drug withdrawal to coerce victims into engaging in illegal activity for his own profit,” said U.S. Attorney Kenneth L. Parker. “As the government proved at trial, Maye oversaw a variety of criminal endeavors, victimizing vulnerable populations, causing the death of one addicted person, and obstructing justice in an ill-fated attempt to avoid accountability. After today’s conviction, he will no longer be able to manipulate and control victims to enrich himself.”
Court documents and testimony detailed how Maye used people to buy and sell drugs, sell women for sex and fraudulently apply online for COVID-19 relief funds. Money from all the crimes went to Maye.
Beginning in at least 2018, Maye's drug trafficking organization distributed narcotics to addicts in street-level quantities. He often purchased narcotics from supply sources inside and outside of Ohio and used addicts to help sell drugs in Columbus.
In addition to cash, Maye would accept stolen goods, gift cards, Social Security numbers and other items as payment for the drugs.
Maye initially gave drugs to women for free and later manipulated their addiction by requiring them to earn drug money through prostitution. Maye provided resources for the women to engage in prostitution — frequently buying hotel rooms, having the women driven to the hotels, providing cellphones and directing internet prostitution ads. Maye took the prostitution money, enforced specific rules on the women and punished them through physical violence.
Maye was also found guilty of providing fentanyl which resulted in an overdose death.
Trial testimony detailed that Maye used violence against victims as part of overseeing his drug trafficking organization, including "stomping out victims," smacking them, punching them, breaking their bones and knocking out their teeth.
Maye was originally indicted in November 2020 and has remained in federal custody since. He faces life in prison.
