RAVENNA − A second man will spend time in prison after illegal drugs were found during an April 2025 traffic stop in Rootstown Township.
Portage County Common Pleas Court Judge Laurie J. Pittman sentenced Shmar M. Antoine, 33, of Akron to four to six years in prison April 20.
Antoine’s attorney Noah Munyer requested the minimum of two to three years, but Prosecutor Dan Sallerson said four to six years is what he agreed to in plea negotiations.
“You are very fortunate that is the prosecutor’s recommendation because that’s not my first thought.,” Pittman told Antoine. “I hate drug dealers. They kill people.”
Portage County sheriff’s deputies reported seeing the driver of an SUV commit lane and turn signal violations April 24, 2025, on Interstate 76 in Brimfield Township.
They followed the vehicle until it exited onto State Route 44 southbound and stopped it in the area of the Northeast Ohio Medical University and the Rootstown Schools campuses.
The vehicle’s driver was identified as Shmar Antoine and the passenger as Akili C. Antoine, now 21, who previously pleaded guilty and was sentenced.
Deputies said that after they saw a container holding about 100 pills alleged to be ecstasy protruding from Shmar Antoine’s pocket, a probable cause search of the vehicle was conducted and about 106 grams, about 3.75 ounces, of a crystalline substance was found.
The substance field-tested positive as meth, the sheriff’s office said.
Deputies also reported a loaded handgun was found within the reach of at least one of the men. Neither man is legally allowed to possess a firearm because of prior felony convictions − Shmar Antoine for assault and Akili Antoine for robbery.
The sheriff’s office also said Akili Antoine initially used another man’s name to misidentify himself.
Munyer said during the April 20 sentencing hearing that Shmar Antoine understands that trafficking in drugs was a “shortcut” for dealing with some financial issues and he asked for “leniency.”
Antoine said he has a commercial driver’s license and is trained as a carpenter. He said he works hard but also has financial responsibilities involving family, and that drug trafficking was an act of “desperation.”
“I take full responsibility for my actions,” he said.
Salerson said that because Antoine has served multiple prison sentences, he believes his recommendation is fair.
Pittman also fined Antoine $7,500 in addition to court costs. Pittman also ordered the forfeiture of $960.
Antoine pleaded guilty in January to aggravated trafficking in drugs and aggravated possession of drugs, both second-degree felonies, fifth-degree felony possessing criminal tools and first-degree misdemeanor receipt of proceeds derived from the commission of an offense subject to forfeiture.
Akili Antoine pleaded guilty in December to third-degree felony aggravated possession of drugs; possessing criminal tools and identity fraud, both fifth-degree felonies; and first-degree misdemeanor receipt of proceeds derived from the commission of an offense subject to forfeiture.
He was sentenced in February to 18 months in prison and fined $5,000 plus court costs. A forfeiture of $780 was also ordered.
Reporter Jeff Saunders can be reached at jsaunders@recordpub.com.
This article originally appeared on Record-Courier: Akron man get 4 to 6 years for drugs after Rootstown stop
Reporting by Jeff Saunders, Ravenna Record-Courier / Record-Courier
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
