Dayton, Ohio – A Dayton man will spend the next 12 years in federal prison after admitting to distributing large amounts of fentanyl from a location near a public high school.
Clifford Bernard, 48, was sentenced to 144 months in prison in U.S. District Court for trafficking fentanyl within 1,000 feet of a school zone. The sentence was announced by federal officials following a lengthy investigation into drug activity at his Dayton residence.
According to court records, Bernard was involved in the possession and distribution of approximately one kilogram of fentanyl between July and September 2024. Authorities determined that the illegal activity took place at his home on Angier Drive, which is located within 1,000 feet of Paul Laurence Dunbar High School.
Investigation Led To Major Drug Seizure
Federal investigators arrested Bernard in October 2024 after gathering evidence related to the drug trafficking operation.
At the time of his arrest, authorities found approximately $5,000 in cash on him. A subsequent search of his residence uncovered additional evidence that prosecutors later used in court.
Agents seized nearly one kilogram of fentanyl from the home. Investigators also recovered a loaded firearm, along with several high-value personal items that included jewelry and a vintage Pontiac Firebird.
The discovery of the fentanyl was particularly significant because of the drug’s potency and the dangers it poses to communities. Federal authorities continue to identify fentanyl trafficking as one of the most serious public safety threats facing cities across the country.
Guilty Plea And Sentencing
Bernard ultimately admitted his role in the offense.
In February 2026, he pleaded guilty to possessing with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl within a school zone.
Federal prosecutors argued that the offense was especially serious because the drug activity occurred near a school, an area where children and families regularly gather.
The sentence was imposed on June 5 by U.S. District Judge Michael J. Newman.
The case was announced by Dominick S. Gerace II, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, and Jason Cromartie, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Cincinnati Division.
Assistant United States Attorney Kelly Rossi prosecuted the case on behalf of the federal government.
The investigation and resulting sentence reflect ongoing efforts by federal law enforcement agencies to target fentanyl trafficking networks and remove dangerous drugs from neighborhoods. Officials say combating the spread of fentanyl remains a top priority, particularly when illegal drug activity takes place near schools and areas frequented by young people.
