2 from raid face federal charges tied to cocaine

Pair arrested at business in S. Toledo; hearings set

A criminal complaint was filed against Albert Weathers, left, and Charles Johnson, charging each with attempt to possess with intent to distribute five kilograms of suspected cocaine as well as aiding and abetting.

Two men arrested during a raid at an Angola Road garage appeared in U.S. District Court in Toledo Friday to face drug-related charges.

A criminal complaint was filed against Albert Weathers, 45, of 8248 Country Brook Dr., Holland and Charles Johnson, 56, of 5540 Benore Rd., charging each with attempt to possess with intent to distribute five kilograms of suspected cocaine as well as aiding and abetting. The men were appointed counsel and advised of the charges by Magistrate Judge James Knepp, II, who ordered they be held pending a detention hearing scheduled for next week.

Both Mr. Johnson and Weathers requested a preliminary hearing to challenge the probable cause used to file charges against them. Judge Knepp set a Thursday hearing date, where both probable cause and detention issues will be heard.

The men were arrested Thursday at Monster Garage Complete Automotive & Detailing, 5825 Angola Rd. in South Toledo, the apparent epicenter of a series of raids.

Police accuse the men of aiding in the purchase of 5 kilograms -- a little more than 11 pounds -- of cocaine and unloading it at the garage.

Once local and federal authorities raided the garage, three additional, nearly simultaneous, properties were raided, police said.

"Knock-and-announce" warrants were executed at Weathers' residence, at 1407 Upton Ave., and at 1926 Calumet Ave.

The Upton address is associated with Weathers, who has lived there in the past, according to Blade archives.

Lucas County Auditor records show that Weathers and LaTresa Weathers own the Upton property. It was unclear how the Calumet property is reportedly involved. It was also unclear why the Benore Road residence was not searched.

Toledo FBI spokesman Dave Dustin declined to comment on details of the investigation.

Police confiscated $65,000 from Monster Garage. From the Upton address, police took a quarter ounce of "suspected marijuana," valued at $25. From the Calumet address, police took an eighth of an ounce of "suspected marijuana," valued at $13, a 9mm semiautomatic firearm, and $1,741, police said.

Nothing was reported to have been taken from the Country Brook residence.

It appeared that no one was at the residence on Friday afternoon.

There was also no response at the Upton and Calumet properties.

The Country Brook Drive property is valued at $269,700, and, according to auditor records, is owned by Acacia Weathers Trustee.

Acacia Weathers is Weather's 22-year-old daughter, according to Ohio birth records.

Weathers, according to records from the Lucas County auditor's Web site, is listed as the sole owner on three properties in Toledo, a co-owner of the Upton property, and has, at least, a connection to the Holland home.

Officials said if the ongoing investigation can prove Weathers bought any of his properties with money from drug sales, the properties could be seized.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Weldon said the charges carry a presumption of prison. For Mr. Johnson, the charges are punishable by sentences of five to 40 years in prison, but federal guidelines probably would put that range between 10 and a little more than 12 years, he said.

Because of a former drug conviction, Weathers faces 10 years to life in prison if convicted of the charges, Mr. Weldon said. He too faces a guideline range of between 121-151 months, he added.

Both men face $1 million fines if found guilty.

Weathers, in 2007, unsuccessfully attempted to appeal an aggravated drug possession conviction, for which he was sentenced to three years in prison.

Contact Taylor Dungjen at: tdungjen@theblade.com, 419-724-6054, or on Twitter @tdungjen_Blade.