COLUMBUS, Ohio — A Columbus man was sentenced in federal court Wednesday to life in prison for leading drugs, sex trafficking and financial fraud conspiracies and then attempting to obstruct justice and tamper with witnesses.

Ricco Maye, 43, was found guilty on all counts in November 2024 following a three-week jury trial, according to United States Attorney Dominick Gerace II.

According to court documents and trial testimony, Maye used individuals to buy and sell drugs, sell women for sex and fraudulently apply online for COVID-19 relief funds. Proceeds from all the crimes went to the him, according to court records.

Beginning in at least 2018, Maye's drug trafficking organization distributed narcotics to addicts in street-level quantities. He often purchased narcotics from supply sour

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