Sandusky man pleads guilty in federal drug case

SANDUSKY — A local man pleaded guilty to federal drug charges involving distributing opioids. Andre Stockett, 40, of Sandusky, pleaded to three counts of distributing tri-methylfentanyl and five counts of distributing fentanyl in a plea agreement in Toledo's U.S. District Court. Three other drug distribution charges were dropped as a part of the deal. Those eight charges relate to about 96 grams of fentanyl and tri-methylfentanyl, according to court records. Stockett will be sentenced by Judge James Carr on June 14. Stockett gained attention after appearing in a viral video depicting a controversial traffic stop with Sandusky police in 2014. A white Sandusky police officer pulled over Stockett, a Black man, after mistaking Stockett for another Black man with warrants. Stockett and another woman in his vehicle were arrested for obstruction when they wouldn't comply with police's orders to identify themselves or exit their vehicle. The charges for Stockett and the woman were later dropped. The officer involved in that incident, Christopher Denny, was suspended for one month for violating department rules and making false statements.