[ back ]
Conspiracy charge sticks in drug, laundering case
(by Sue Reid - November 17, 2011)
Conspiracy charge sticks in drug, laundering case
By SUE REID
Solon resident Jimmie "Game" Goodgame pleaded guilty in federal court last week to conspiracy to commit money laundering and is due to be sentenced in February in federal court. He faces between five and eight years in prison.
Mr. Goodgame and his wife, Stacey, of Reminderville, were among eight individuals indicted by a federal grand jury in May in connection with a heroin-trafficking ring that brought drugs into Northeast Ohio. According to the indictment, the ring then laundered the profits through numerous bank accounts and the purchase of more than 50 luxury automobiles.
Mr. Goodgame lived in Sycamore Estates, also known as the Signature 2 subdivision.
"The Goodgames basically ran the money laundering end of that," Mike Tobin, spokesman for the U.S. Attorney General's Office, said Tuesday.
Federal investigators called it one of the most sophisticated drug rings in recent history. According to the indictment, drug dealers were given luxury cars to drive as a way to launder their profits for a fee. They were titled to companies owned by the Goodgames, according to the indictment.
Stacey Goodgame also pleaded guilty to the same charge and is looking at two years in prison, Mr. Tobin said.
Other charges against Mr. Goodgame were dismissed, but they do not affect the sentencing, Mr. Tobin said. "He pled to the largest charge."
The couple have been out on bond since the indictment in May.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward F. Feran, following an investigation by the Northern Ohio Law Enforcement Task Force, the FBI, IRS, Cleveland Police Department, the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area agents and Hotel Interdiction Team Task Force.
Mr. Goodgame is to be sentenced in federal court by Judge Patricia Gaughan.
[ back ]
