COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — More defendants have pleaded guilty to their involvement in a large-scale drug and sex trafficking ring that operated near a Columbus elementary school.

Five people pleaded guilty this week to charges related to money laundering, sex trafficking, and an overdose death. This case has resulted in 23 people indicted with 17 of them pleading guilty.

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 fentanyl, cocaine and cocaine base in a narcotics ring that made dealings in the past two years. Agents seized $1.5 million in cash, 44 firearms, seven vehicles and a motorcycle.

The five defendants that pleaded guilty this week include:

Bourdo admitted to distributing fentanyl and cocaine that resulted in a woman’s death as well as conspiring to commit sex trafficking while having the intent to distribute controlled substances near a school. The ring owned and operated for 14 years out of multiple west Columbus houses, including a house that was across the street from Burroughs Elementary School in the Hilltop neighborhood on the southwest side.

According to his plea agreement, a woman was found dead with a needle in her hand and pocket on Oct. 14, 2021 in an alley between Bourdo’s residence and a drug house. He also admitted to coercing drug-addicted females to perform commercial sex acts by using violence and threatening to withhold drugs and housing.

Priscilla Washington, the mother of one of the ringleaders, pleaded guilty after using a facility to aid in racketeering, communicating with co-conspirators, and allowing her home to be used as a safe house for other defendants. Police found numerous firearms, cash, and drugs when searching her home.

Burton pleaded guilty to distributing cocaine near the school and possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. Smith’s guilty plea was also related to charges of cocaine distribution in addition to distributing alprazolam. Williams also pleaded guilty to drug distribution near the school and money laundering.

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

The original indictment included the following defendants: