2 indicted in alleged large-scale drug trafficking operation in Clermont County

A Cincinnati man and a Clermont County woman have been indicted by a Clermont County grand jury for the alleged distribution of illegal narcotics in Clermont County.

Matthew Brandon Leitsinger, 42, was charged with:

• Three counts of trafficking in cocaine, three counts of possession of cocaine, all felonies of the first degree;

• Six counts of aggravated trafficking in drugs, four counts of aggravated possession of drugs, one count of trafficking in LSD, all felonies of the second degree;

• One count of trafficking in marijuana, one count of possession of marijuana, two counts of aggravated trafficking in drugs, three counts of a aggravated possession of drugs, one count of possession of LSD, all felonies of the third degree;

• Two counts of aggravated trafficking in drugs, one count of trafficking in drugs, all felonies of the fourth degree; and

• Two counts of trafficking in cocaine, two count of possession of cocaine, two counts of trafficking in drugs, two counts of aggravated possession of drugs, all felonies of the fifth degree.  

Heather Michelle Anderson, 34, was charged with one count each of trafficking in cocaine and possession of cocaine, both felonies of the first degree.

On July 27, 2023, the Clermont County Narcotics Task Force received an anonymous tip about Leitsinger and Anderson allegedly selling cocaine at an address on Gumbert Drive in Batavia Township, Clermont County. Agents from the Narcotics Unit began an investigation and developed enough probable cause to execute multiple search warrants on the residence and others in Hamilton County.

On Sept. 23 and 24, 2024, the Clermont County Sheriff’s Narcotics Task Force, with assistance from the Cincinnati Police Department and Hamilton County Drug Abuse Reduction Task Force (DART), executed probable cause search warrants at multiple residences in the 1300 block of Gumbert Drive in Batavia Township of Clermont County, the 100 block of East University Avenue in Cincinnati of Hamilton County and the 5400 block of Bluesky Drive in Cincinnati of Hamilton County.

Agents allegedly located a large quantity of illegal narcotics and U.S. currency during those search warrants.

The total alleged seizure during the executed search warrants included:

• $33,065 in U.S. currency;

• 647.89 grams of cocaine;

• 438.99 grams of psylocibin mushrooms;

• 183.73 grams of MDMA;

• 13.47 grams of amphetamine pills;

• 1,248.8 grams of marijuana;

• 226-unit doses of LSD;

• Approximately 35 grams of methamphetamine; and

• 3.44 grams of ketamine.

The total street value of the seized narcotics is estimated at $85,085.25.

An indictment is merely a charge and is not evidence of guilt.

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