USA v. Lumbus, et al.

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
NORTHERN DISTRICT OF OHIO
EASTERN DIVISION
)
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, 	)
)
Plaintiff, 	)
)
vs. 	)
)
WANDA WARD, 	)
)
Defendant. 	)
CASE NO. 1:23-cr-00585
JUDGE DAVID A. RUIZ
ORDER ACCEPTING PLEA
AGREEMENT, JUDGMENT AND
REFERRAL TO U.S. PROBATION
OFFICE
)
This case is before the Court on a Report and Recommendation (R&R) filed by United
States Magistrate Judge Jonthan D. Greenberg regarding the change of plea hearing of Wanda
Ward which was referred to the Magistrate Judge with the consent of the parties.
On November 1, 2023, the Government filed a 34 count Indictment, charging Defendant
Wanda Ward (8) with Count 1, Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute
Controlled Substances, in violation of Title 21 U.S.C. §§ 846, 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(B) and
(b)(1)(C); with Count 2, Possession with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl, in violation of Title 21
U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(B); with Count 3, Possession with Intent to Distribute Controlled
Substances, in violation of Title 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(C); with Count 8, Interstate
Travel in Aid of Racketeering, in violation of Title 18 U.S.C. § 1952(a)(3) and 2; with Count 20,
Use of a Communications Facility to Facilitate a Felony Drug Offense, in violation of Title 21
U.S.C. § 843(b); and with Count 24, Use of a Communications Facility to Facilitate a Felony
Drug Offense, in violation of Title 21 U.S.C. § 843(b). Defendant Wanda Ward (8) was
arraigned on June 3, 2025, during which Wanda Ward (8) entered a plea of not guilty to the
charges. On October 22, 2025, Magistrate Judge Jonathan D. Greenberg received Defendant
Case: 1:23-cr-00585-DAR Doc #: 254 Filed: 02/10/26 1 of 2. PageID #: <pageID>

Wanda Ward’s plea of guilty to Count 1, 2, 3, and 8 of the Indictment, with a written plea
agreement, and issued the R&R, concerning whether the plea should be accepted and finding of
guilty entered.
Neither party submitted objections to the Magistrate Judge’s R&R in the fourteen days
after it was issued.
On de novo review of the record, the Magistrate Judges R&R is adopted. Defendant
Wanda Ward (8) is found to be competent to enter a plea and to understand her constitutional
rights. She is aware of the charges and of the consequences of entering a plea. There is an
adequate factual basis for the plea. The Court finds the plea was entered knowingly, intelligently,
and voluntarily. The plea agreement is approved.
Therefore, Defendant Wanda Ward (8) is adjudged guilty of the following counts of the
Indictment: Count 1, Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute Controlled
Substances, in violation of Title 21 U.S.C. §§ 846, 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(B); Count 2, Possession
with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl, in violation of Title 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(B);
Count 3, Possession with Intent to Distribute Controlled Substances, in violation of Title 21
U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(C), and Count 8, Interstate Travel in Aid of Racketeering, in
violation of Title 18 U.S.C. § 1952(a)(3). This matter was referred to U.S. Pretrial Services and
Probation Office for the completion of a pre-sentence investigation and report. Sentencing will
take place, as previously scheduled, on February 12, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. in Courtroom 17B, Carl
B. Stokes United States Court House, 801 West Superior Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
s/ David A. Ruiz 	February 10, 2026
DAVID A. RUIZ
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
Case: 1:23-cr-00585-DAR Doc #: 254 Filed: 02/10/26 2 of 2. PageID #: <pageID>