Large drug bust leads to prison time

MEDINA — Two people described as "major drug offenders" were sentenced by Medina County Common Pleas Judge Joyce V. Kimbler on Thursday. What started as a conversation at one of Montville Township's Citizens Police Academy classes about suspicious activity in a Montville neighborhood, turned into what is likely the largest drug seizure in the township's history. It was a collaboration between Montville police, the Medina County Drug Task Force and Medina County Prosecutor Forrest Thompson's office. Omar A. Estremera, 28, whose last known address was 6842 Maplebrook Terrace, Montville, was sentenced to 11-16.5 years on eight drug-related crimes. His co-defendant, Emily E. Hastings, 29, of 4513 Ridgestone Way, Medina, was sentenced to 24 months. "This was a pretty serious drug operation," Thompson said. "They were not being good citizens." Thompson said one count of conveyance (transporting drugs) was dismissed against Estremera in exchange for a guilty plea made in open court of possession of drugs, a fifth-degree felony. The deal was a joint recommendation between Medina County Assistant Prosecutor Michael McNamara and the defense attorney, Michael J. Goldberg. "We think Mickey (McNamara) put a lot of work into this case," the prosecutor said. "I think the handwriting was clearly on the wall. They were not going to fare well if they went to a jury trial. We were very satisfied with the resolution. The key here is we get a major drug offender off the streets for more than a decade. That's satisfying." The court imposed a prison term of 12 months with credit for 131 days served. This sentence is concurrent with his other charges: Aggravated possession of drugs, first-degree felony Possession of LSD, first-degree felony Aggravated possession of drugs, fifth-degree felony Possession of cocaine, fifth-degree felony Trafficking of marijuana, second-degree felony Aggravated possession of drugs, second-degree felony Possession of drugs, third-degree felony Aggravated possession of drugs, third-degree felony Estremera will be supervised by the parole board under post-release control for a mandatory period of five years. Both Estremera and Hastings were in Medina County Jail on Friday, and Estremera is expected to be transferred to the Lorain Correctional Institution. Hastings pleaded guilty to seven charges, including three counts of aggravated possession of drugs, possession of LSD, possession of cocaine, trafficking of marijuana and possession of drugs. Thompson said she eventually will be transferred to the Ohio Reformatory for Women in Marysville. "Credit is deserved for Montville Police Department and the Medina County Drug Task Force and their coordination of efforts to bring about this outstanding result and keeping the community safe," she said. Estremera and Hastings were indicted by a Medina County grand jury Oct. 18, 2019. Contact reporter Bob Finnan at (330) 721-4049 or rfinnan@medina-gazette.com.