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Big Oak: One indictment served, one motion filed

LISBON — One of the men accused of causing the overdose of an East Liverpool police officer was served an Operation Big Oak indictment, while another person from the Operation Big Oak indictment may have her charges dismissed.

Cortez Collins, 25, of Cleveland, was served a secret indictment for an assault charge. Along with co-defendant Justin Buckel, Collins is accused of recklessly causing harm to East Liverpool patrolman Chris Green on May 12, 2017 when Green is believed to have come in contact with fentanyl while performing his duties as a police officer. Court documents state Green was completing the processing of Buckel and Cortez, who were arrested during a traffic stop where suspected narcotics were ground into the carpeting and seat covers of the vehicle. The opioid was believed to have been found on Green’s clothing and brushed away with his hand. He ended up needing to be revived by four doses of Narcan.

Buckel’s attorney has filed a motion to have the assault charge against Buckel dismissed. The motion is still pending.

Drug-related charges against Rae Queen D. Wilson, 18, Cleveland, were dismissed. Through the Big Oak indictment, Wilson was charged with trafficking in cocaine, aggravated trafficking in drugs and trafficking in heroin.

In the motion to dismiss filed by special assistant prosecuting attorney Margaret B. Tomaro, it stated Wilson was a juvenile on Feb. 3, 2017, when the alleged activities occurred. Wilson already was charged in juvenile court with possession of heroin on Feb. 6 for having a bag containing heroin.

Operation Big Oak is a 757-count indictment which included about 100 defendants and was brought forth with the help of the Ohio attorney general’s office.

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