United States of America v. Joshua M. Riley

Cincinnati, Ohio criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with receiving bulk amounts of narcotics through the mail, illegally possessing firearms, smuggling drugs into Butler County Jail

Hamilton man sentenced to 15 years in prison for receiving bulk amounts of narcotics through the mail, illegally possessing firearms, smuggling drugs into Butler County Jail

Joshua M. Riley, 46, of Hamilton, Ohio, was sentenced in U.S. District Court to 180 months in prison for narcotics and firearms crimes.



According to court documents, Riley was having bulk amounts of narcotics mailed to his home on Symmes Avenue in Hamilton through the United States Postal Service. In November 2022, law enforcement intercepted a package in route to Riley's residence that included fictitious sender and recipient names. The package contained more than two kilograms of methamphetamine.



When agents later executed a search warrant at Riley's residence, they discovered approximately 1,000 fentanyl pills, 40 pounds of marijuana, cocaine, drug trafficking paraphernalia, high-end jewelry and $18,500 in cash. Riley also illegally possessed at least 15 firearms, firearm magazines, and ammunition. Four of those firearms were later found to have been previously reported as stolen, and a fifth had an obliterated/filed off serial number. The other firearms included an Akdal Arms, 12 gauge semi-automatic shotgun and a Hi-Point nine millimeter high-powered rifle.



In July 2024, Riley pleaded guilty to possessing with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine and 40 grams or more of fentanyl, as well as cocaine and marijuana. He also admitted to illegally possessing a firearm as a previously convicted felon.



While detained during this case, Riley was repeatedly caught smuggling drugs – namely, dozens of suboxone strips and amphetamines – into the Butler County Jail.



Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Lesley Allison, Inspector in Charge, U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), Pittsburgh Division; and Butler County Sheriff Richard K. Jones announced the sentence imposed by U.S. District Court Judge Jeffery P. Hopkins. Assistant United States Attorneys David P. Dornette and Timothy D. Oakley represented the United States in this case.



This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, and gangs that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.