Akron man sentenced for overdose death at Wadsworth bar

It was back in March 2019 when federal officials said an Akron man sold fentanyl to a Wooster woman who used the drug hours later at a Wadsworth bar and ended up dead. For that crime and a later grocery store robbery, Dayviaire Rogers, 27, of Akron, was sentenced to 22 years (264 months) in federal prison by U.S. District Court Judge Patricia A. Gaughan. U.S. Northern District Attorney Justin E. Herdman announced the sentence Monday. Rogers pleaded guilty back in February to possession with intent to distribute and distribution of fentanyl, interference with commerce by robbery, possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon, and discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. "(This) sentence sends a strong message that selling fentanyl and violent crime will result in a lengthy prison term," Herdman said in a statement. "We will continue to seek long prison sentences for individuals who sell opioids in our neighborhoods and who use firearms to commit acts of violence." According to court documents, on March 16, 2019, Rogers sold fentanyl to Kellie Simmons, 45, of Wooster, who died of an overdose at Wadsworth's South End Tavern, 377 Main St. Medical examiners later determined the cause of death to be acute fentanyl intoxication. While the Drug Enforcement Administration, Wadsworth Police Department and the Medina County Drug Task Force were investigating the overdose death,the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Akron Police Department were investigating an armed robbery of an Akron grocery store. As agents and prosecutors collaborated on the parallel investigations, they realized Rogers was suspected of both crimes. On April 20, 2019, Rogers entered the grocery store wearing a mask and aimed a loaded handgun in the face of the store owner and her minor daughter. Rogers stole approximately $7,000 and discharged his firearm during the robbery. A review of Rogers' criminal record revealed he was prohibited from possessing a firearm due to prior felony convictions. The Medina County Prosecutor's Office also investigated the case, which was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher J. Joyce and Patrick P. Burke.