Lorain ready to raze Washington Avenue property as public nuisance

LORAIN — After 68 police reports in less than three years, along with building, housing, fire and health code violations, the city is seeking a court order for one property's owners to forfeit what the city calls a public nuisance. Lorain police are no strangers to 1714 Washington Ave., responding to or interacting with the property involving drug investigations, assaults, and other disturbances, according to documents filed in Lorain County Common Pleas court Friday. Those incidents include at least 13 overdoses, and police have recovered drug paraphernalia, heroin, crack cocaine, fentanyl, methamphetamine and other narcotics from suspected residents or those leaving the property. For example on April 25, 2018, officers were called to West 19th Street and Oberlin Avenue for a man bleeding. It was determined the man was lured to the property by a number of its residents where they attempted to rob him at knifepoint. After being stabbed, the man escaped by diving through a front window. Last Oct. 21, officers conducted a traffic stop resulting in charges against Zhu Haifeng, who admitted to going to the property for sexual intercourse with a woman he met through an escort service. An investigation at the house resulted in seizure of methamphetamine, and three women were found inside under the influence of drugs at the time. Lorain Police's investigation found owner Richard Clifford reportedly leased the property to Ismael Maldonado, who died of an overdose. Before his death Maldonado subleased the property to Ronnie Gose, who used it as a "party house" and dealt drugs, according to the filing. The building is titled to Nicollette Clifford, Richard Clifford's daughter. They reportedly took over the property from Richard Clifford's brother, Sean, after a foreclosure. Richard Clifford told police he was in control of the property until April." On Feb. 25 Lorain Narcotics, SWAT and K-9 units executed a search warrant, finding a loaded handgun, illicit drugs and paraphernalia. The fire department searched the property that day, citing violations including waste accumulations and electrical hazards. The city's Building, Housing and Planning Department executed a demolition citation, listing violations including unsafe conditions and accumulations of rubbish. Lorain County Public Health also inspected the property, noting water damage and mold, areas where animals were living on the exterior and lead-based paint hazards throughout the structure. The house was built in 1900 and is valued at about $29,370 by the Lorain County Auditor. Almost $6,000 in back taxes and assessments are owed on the property. Contact Carissa Woytach at (440) 329-7245 or cwoytach@chroniclet.com.