RICHFIELD TOWNSHIP – Ohio State Highway Patrol Troopers filed felony drug charges against a Connecticut man after a traffic stop in Summit County. During the traffic stop, Troopers seized 1,600 grams of heroin, which is valued at approximately $285,000.
On November 14, 2017, at 12:16 p.m., Troopers stopped a rented 2018 Nissan with Connecticut registration for a lane change violation on Interstate 80 near milepost 176. Criminal indicators were observed and the suspect was asked to exit the vehicle; he failed to comply and fled. Ohio State Highway Patrol aviation monitored the fleeing vehicle and directed troopers to the suspect’s location. The patrol pilot also viewed the suspect throw a bag into a garbage dumpster. The suspect was stopped, taken into custody and heroin was seized from the dumpster.
The suspect, Renaldo Diaz-Guzman, 25, of Hartford, Conn., was incarcerated in the Summit County Jail. He was charged with possession and trafficking in heroin, both first-degree felonies and failure to comply, a fifth-degree felony.
If convicted, he could face up to 21 years in prison and up to a $42,500 fine.