SerpApi.Org
CLEVELAND, Ohio — An Akron man has been sentenced to 12 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to heroin and fentanyl trafficking charges and violating the terms of his supervised release from a previous drug conviction.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio announced that Darren Tibbets, 32, of Akron was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Donald Nugent to a total of 144 months in prison.
According to federal prosecutors, Tibbets received a 120-month sentence after pleading guilty in December 2025 to conspiracy to distribute heroin and fentanyl and distribution of heroin and fentanyl. He was also sentenced to an additional 24 months for violating the terms of his supervised release related to a prior drug conviction. The sentences will be served consecutively.
Court records show federal agents began investigating suspected drug trafficking activities in Akron in 2025. Investigators determined that Tibbets was involved in drug trafficking and seized approximately 21 grams of heroin and fentanyl during the investigation.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brett Hammond.
Following the sentencing, Tibbets filed objections to a presentence investigation report that classified him as a career offender under federal sentencing guidelines. In the filing, Tibbets argued the designation increased his sentencing range, resulting in an unnecessary amount of time behind bars.
©2026 Advance Local Media LLC. Visit cleveland.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
