BY KYM LIEBLER
The Cincinnati Enquirer
The alleged ringleader of a Warren County drug distribution network will be held without bail because he poses a flight risk, a federal magistrate decided Monday.
Assistant U.S. attorney William E. Hunt said he thinks 44-year-old Randall R. Neuhausser has "the resources, intent, ability and attitude" to flee if given the chance.
Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) agents found books titled Acquiring a New Identity, Reborn in the United States and Counterfeit ID Made Easy when they searched Mr. Neuhausser's Union Township home near South Lebanon.
Mr. Neuhausser was indicted Friday on charges of conspiracy to distribute cocaine and marijuana.
The books, coupled with Mr. Neuhausser's frequent trips to Jamaica, where he has opened bank accounts, make him a great flight risk, Mr. Hunt told U.S. Magistrate Jack Sherman Jr. during a hearing Monday.
Indicted on identical charges were Mr. Neuhausser's wife, Sheila, 34; James A. McCarty, 38, and Ted Dunlap, 38, both of Morrow; Doug Burgess, 35, of Fairfield; and Scott Myers, 31, of Price Hill. Five of the defendants were arrested Friday. Mr. McCarty, who has not been arrested, is scheduled to be arraigned April 27 with the others.
Mr. Neuhausser is the only one being held without bail.
"Mr. Neuhausser is the organizer and supervisor of the group of people named in the indictment, as well as others," Mr. Hunt said.
Mr. Hunt said Mr. Neuhausser avoided detection by buying vehicles, registering them to underlings and having still others drive them. Magistrate Sherman released Sheila Neuhausser on her promise to return to court and set bond for Mr. Myers at $20,000.
If convicted, Mrs. Neuhausser, Mr. Dunlap, Mr. Myers and Mr. Burgess could receive 10 years to life in prison and a $4 million fine. The sentences would double for Mr. Neuhausser and Mr. McCarty, who have previous drug convictions.
