The Associated Press
CINCINNATI- The father of a kidnapping victim was charged with drug offenses after authorities became suspicious of his agreement to pay a $150,000 cash ransom for his daughter.
Cornell Clisby, 39, was being held Wednesday in lieu of $9 million bail, charged with drug trafficking and conspiracy, a jail officer said. He was arrested Monday, accused with two others of arranging to take possession of 135 pounds of cocaine worth $7 million, authorities said.
Authorities had been suspicious since July, when Clisby’s 17-year-old daughter was kidnapped from her home in suburban North College Hill.
North College Hill Police Chief Paul Toth said he was surprised when Clisby said he had the cash to pay the ransom, and he alerted drug enforcement agencies after hearing allegations that Clisby had bragged about dealing drugs.
“The kidnapping put him in the limelight,” Toth said.
The ransom drop went awry, but police chased a suspect to a house where the girl was rescued.