Columbus man convicted in large-scale drug, sex ring sentenced to life in federal prison

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – A Columbus man received a life sentence, plus an additional 65-years in prison, after he was convicted on sex trafficking, drugs and weapons charges.

According to federal prosecutors, David Price, one of 22 charged in a massive drug and sex trafficking ring that operated near a Columbus elementary school, was sentenced this week to serve a lifelong prison sentence, plus a consecutive 65 year term, for his role in a narcotics distribution ring that contributed to the death of a woman.

In February, Price, 56, was one of two men found guilty on charges related to the distribution of fentanyl, crack cocaine, cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin, marijuana, Xanax, Oxycodone, and alprazolam.

Price and Tavaryyuan Johnson were part of a conspiracy to distribute and possess to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl, five kilograms or more of cocaine, 280 grams or more of crack cocaine and 100 grams or more of heroin, as well as marijuana, oxycodone and alprazolam, all about 1,000 feet from Burroughs Elementary School in the Hilltop neighborhood.

The drug trafficking organization operated from January 2008 until it was dismantled in 2022. Price, also known as “DP,” was additionally charged in a superseding indictment in December. 

In July 2021, Price distributed fentanyl, methamphetamine and cocaine that resulted in the overdose death of a woman, and testimony at his trial indicated he purposefully killed her after she began talking to the police about his drug business.

The case against Price also proved that he conspired to commit sex trafficking crimes from 2016 until 2022. Price and other members of the conspiracy would force and/or coerce adult female drug addicts into performing commercial sex acts by providing, withholding or threatening to withhold controlled substances and housing.

The yearslong investigation showed that various women engaged in a “rinse and repeat” cycle where they would be allowed to stay at a drug residence associated with Price, receive drugs so they were not in active drug withdrawal, have sex for money, pay the debt from the front of drugs, and then be allowed to remain at the house. 

Trial testimony indicated that Price, who was found guilty of three counts of sex trafficking, would lock the women inside his residence for days or weeks at a time and refuse to let them leave, forcing them to engage in sex acts.  One victim was locked in a dog cage and shot and stabbed by Price. He would refuse to provide them drugs unless or until they engaged in sex acts, forcing them into withdrawal if they did not comply.

NBC4 previously reported that federal officers arrested eight men and three women who were all charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute drugs over two years. In total agents seized $1.5 million in cash, 44 firearms, seven vehicles and a motorcycle.

The original indictment included the following defendants:

Defendants added in the superseding indictment unsealed in October of 2022 include: