Three charged with drug trafficking

Two Kent State students have been arrested and charged with drug trafficking by the Portage County Drug Task Force.

Phillip A. Federspiel, 24, of Streetsboro, has been charged with three counts of aggravated trafficking in drugs, a third-degree felony, after selling Ecstasy and prescription drugs to an undercover agent in the Streetsboro/Aurora area for three months, according to the task force.

Federspiel, who is listed as a freshman chemistry major in the Kent State directory, was arraigned Monday and is scheduled to appear in front of Judge Laurie Pittman in the Portage County Court of Common Pleas May 13.

Federspiel was released after posting a $1,000 recognizance bond at his arraignment.

Federspiel’s girlfriend, Kelsi C. Owen, 19, also of Streetsboro, was arrested in connection with the investigation on Federspiel. Owen, who was not listed in the student directory, was charged with trafficking Ecstasy, a fourth-degree felony, and had her arraignment in front of Judge John Enlow last Friday. A recognizance bond was set at $2,000. Her pre-trial is set for Aug. 9.

A third man, Brandon J. Whitesel, 23, of Streetsboro, was charged with a fourth-degree drug trafficking felony in connection with Federspiel. He posted a $7,500 bond at his arraignment Monday in front of Judge Pittman, and his pre-trial is Aug. 25.

Contact Josh Johnston at [email protected].