For the past eighteen months Troopers and agents involved with this investigation worked tirelessly to identify and dismantle a large and well-organized network responsible for the distribution of methamphetamine throughout central and northwestern Pennsylvania. Sample Page; ; The Pennsylvania State Police and its law enforcement partners remain committed to combating this type of illegal drug trade plaguing our communities., Today is a great day for Clearfield County thanks to the hard work of US Attorney Brady, his staff, the DEA, the ATF and the Pennsylvania State Police, Clearfield County District Attorney Ryan P. Sayers said. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. KENSINGTON (PHILADELPHIA) HARRISBURG ARREST DRUG BUST. Six additional individuals were also taken into police custody. During the bust in October 2020, they allegedly found more than 8 pounds of meth, which translates to about 700,000 [] The organization based in Harrisburg has distributed large quantities of fentanyl, heroin, cocaine and marijuana, according to District Attorney Fran Chardo. OCDETF uses a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks. This is the culmination of months of work by the great men and women of the Harrisburg Bureau of Police, along with Dauphin County, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and the U.S. Government. HARRISBURGAttorney General Josh Shapiro, in conjunction with the Forty-Sixth Statewide Investigating Grand Jury, today announced that the Office of Attorney General has arrested 13 individuals and taken down a heroin/fentanyl and a methamphetamine trafficking organization operating in Elk and Erie counties. morning) A quarter of a million dollar bail was no impediment to him.. Dennis James Rauch is charged at counts six and seven with unlawful possession of a firearm or ammunition by a convicted felon, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, in and around March of 2020. It is the keystone of the drug reduction strategy of the Department of Justice. Official websites use .gov Indictments are only allegations. The unit works with local municipalities across the state to target street-level crimes, normally related to drugs or gangs, AG officials said. 05-06 HPD Investigates Suspected Overdose Death. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. This case is being prosecuted by Senior Deputy Attorney General Roger Bauer. Alexis Brolin Jr. is charged at count four, unlawful possession of a firearm or ammunition by a convicted felon in and around and between July of 2019 and April 4, 2020. Shop Our Favorite February Amazon Deals Before the Sales End, The 14 Best Mineral Sunscreens of 2023, According to Pros, 14 TikTok-Famous Cleaning Products That Actually Work, According to Our Experts, 14 Best Healthier Candy Alternatives of 2023, According to Taste Tests. All rights reserved (About Us). 04-04 Harrisonburg Man Sentenced to 20 Years for Sex Crimes. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines. Have a question about Government Services? Additionally, 12 vehicles utilized in drug deliveries throughout the Harrisburg area were seized by investigators. This case was also brought as part of a district wide initiative to combat the nationwide epidemic regarding the use and distribution of heroin. 235 N. Washington Avenue, Suite 311 Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentences imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal histories of the defendants. Harrisburg, PA 17120 Counts 2 (Gilmore), 4 (Dorsey-Pace), 5 (Sams), and 7 (Sams) charge possession with intent to distribute and distribution of a quantity of cocaine base within 1,000 feet of a playground, school, and public housing. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Since April of 2019, the Pennsylvania State Police, working with the Dauphin County Drug Task Force and other law enforcement agencies, dedicated thousands of hours to uncovering evidence of an. Alexis Brolin Jr. is charged at count four, unlawful possession of a firearm or ammunition by a convicted felon in and around and between July of 2019 and April 4, 2020. (WBRE/WYOU) A big drug bust in the Poconos nets a well-known resident of a private community. Lock We undertook this investigation with a single goal in mindto significantly improve public safety, said Acting U. S. Attorney Kaufman. This was a great team effort between the Pennsylvania State Police, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the United States Attorneys Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, said Major Stephen K. Eberle of the Pennsylvania State Police. After the drug purchase, police immediately arrested the male and a second individual without incident. The law provides for a maximum total sentence for Count 2 of up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $500,000 (or twice the value of the property involved in the transaction, whichever is greater). 04-11 Pedestrian Accident Media Release. The statue calls for a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison. Check or add your phone numbers to the Pennsylvania Do Not Call Registry. An indictment is an accusation. He is also charged at count five, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime in and around and between July of 2019 and April 4, 2020. The case was unsealed following the arrests of Texido, Kuduk, Justin and Jose Laboy, and Cobaugh on November 5, 2020 and Valenzuela on November 25, 2020. (Monday-Friday) Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Departments past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities. The statute calls for a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. Harrisburg, Pa. - Narcotics and Drug Control agents seized a massive amount of fentanyl in Pittsburgh this week. These communities made it a priority to target street-level dealers, Shapiro said. This case is part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justices signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. The statutes call for a maximum sentence of 10 years of incarceration and a minimum sentence of five years of incarceration, respectively. Wallace, Curcio, Krise, and Royer were taken into custody this week and charged with Criminal Conspiracy and drug-related offenses. Freed, the indictment alleges that between October 2018 until May 2020, the defendants operated a marijuana smuggling operation out of Fastlane Auto Sales located on Paxton Street in Harrisburg. Drug Bust. 2023, Hearst Television Inc. on behalf of WGAL-TV. HARRISBURG, Pa. The Dauphin County district attorney says 23 people have been charged in a "sophisticated" drug trafficking ring that operated before and during the coronavirus pandemic.. The indictment also alleges that defendants used a sophisticated system of GPS tracking devices, which they placed in their parcels, to keep track of their drugs and money. In addition to the fentanyl and heroin mixture, investigators found 325 fentanyl pills, 56 grams of cocaine, seven firearms and about $100,000 in cash while carrying out search warrants,. It is alleged that defendants mailed hundreds of parcels full of marijuana from California to Harrisburg and mailed cash back to California. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court. . AG Shapiro Arrests Thirteen, Shuts Down Heroin, Meth Trafficking Rings, Send Drug and Child Predator Anonymous Tips, Community Drug Abuse Prevention Grant Program, ACRE Agriculture, Communities and Rural Environment, Pennsylvania State Coroners Education Board, Voters Rights in Effect at the Polling Places on Election Days. Just as your police and prosecutors continue to work every day during this pandemic, the sophisticated criminals do as well, Chardo added. Chardo said law enforcement agencies arrested 20 of the suspects Wednesday and executed search warrants following a yearlong investigation called Operation Hill Fire. The ongoing operation also resulted in confiscating 17 illegally owned guns, seizing illegal drugs and more than $18,000 since November, Shapiro said. TTY: (570) 341-2077. who allegedly traveled to a Florida clinic to get fraudulent prescriptions for the pain Second big drug bust in area Aug 23, . According to United States Attorney David J. According to United States Attorney David J. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. because the future is all about our kids.. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentences imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal histories of the defendants. The following individuals have been arrested in connection with the operation: Onassis Alexander Tejeda Arias, Michalle Medina-Hernandez, Robert Pena, Jose Luis Diaz-Camacho, Amauri Rafael Pena Abreu, Michael Berdecia-Gomez, Liz Berrios-Serranio, Carlos Vazquez, Esleither Junior Berroa-Jaquez, Anyeuris Tejada-Marte, Francis Contreras Del Rosario, Julio Pagan-Vazquez, Gregory Bosques, Zulyvette Ferrer-Olivo, and Lesli De Los Santos Perez. Today, thanks to strong collaboration with our local law enforcement partners, we shut down a major drug trafficking operation in Harrisburg, said Attorney General Shapiro. All of the charges were filed by the state police, which led the investigation in cooperation with the county drug task force and municipal police. The six-month investigation conducted by the Office of Attorney General's Bureau of Narcotics Investigation, resulted in the arrests of multiple members of a corrupt organization peddling heroin, fentanyl, and other drugs into Harrisburg. Do you receive unwanted calls? A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines. Freed, the indictment alleges that between October 2018 until May 2020, the defendants operated a marijuana smuggling operation out of Fastlane Auto Sales located on Paxton Street in Harrisburg. As the investigation evolved, Regional Officers learned of active warrants for several subjects residing . Papenfuse called Shapiro a friend of the city.. Harrisburgs streets today are instantly safer, with fewer guns, drugs, and criminals, thanks to their tireless dedication.. This is an example of the cooperation necessary to do justice, Papenfuse said. The morning raids resulted in arrests that Shapiro announced today as part of an ongoing operation with the Attorney Generals Mobile Street Crimes Unit. The hill in Operation Hill Fire is Allison Hill in Harrisburg, the hub of the drug network, Chardo said. HARRISBURG, Pa. More than 60 people have been arrested in a drug bust in Harrisburg. The latest breaking updates, delivered straight to your email inbox. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS To make that point, he cited the case of one defendant, 41-year-old Carlos Soto-Gonzalez, whose bail was set at $250,000. The defendants are innocent unless and until proven guilty. An official website of the United States government. The occurrence of these arrests during the COVID-19 pandemic was unintentional, but necessary, he said. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. AG Shapiro Announces 15 Arrested, 7 Firearms Seized in Harrisburg Drug Trafficking Operation, Send Drug and Child Predator Anonymous Tips, Community Drug Abuse Prevention Grant Program, ACRE Agriculture, Communities and Rural Environment, Pennsylvania State Coroners Education Board, Voters Rights in Effect at the Polling Places on Election Days. Official websites use .gov OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles high-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten communities throughout the United States. Covid-19 could be making things worse. Wisor, Pulliam, Coles, Black, Bowley, Curci, Hoover, McDonald, and VanDyne are all currently incarcerated on unrelated charges and were charged with crimes related to the Grand Jury investigation. New Zealand police find 3.5 tons of cocaine in Pacific Ocean. 717-787-5211 In 2013, Attorney General Kane, with the help of the state Legislature, launched the Commonwealth's first ever Mobile Street Crimes Unit (MSCU) to combat drug trafficking and gang-related violence. Fax:814-533-4545. These individuals have profited from selling dangerous drugs that fuel the opioid epidemic and devastate our communities. THE D.A. They could come outside again with confidence in their safety and well-being, Shapiro said at a press conference today. The defendants were arrested today following a year-long investigation into drug trafficking in Mercer and Lawrence Counties and beyond. The second indictment charges the following defendants for offenses that took place between October 2016 and March 13, 2019, in Northumberland and Union Counties: [1] Jose Miguel Guzman Ruiz, age 36, of Lewisburg, PA, is charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute more than 500 grams of cocaine hydrochloride and an unspecified quantity of heroin; one count of attempted possession with intent to distribute cocaine hydrochloride; one count of distribution of cocaine; [2] Francisco Javier Ortiz Candelaria, a/k/a Javi a/k/a Guavina, age 34, of Milton, PA, is charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute more than 500 grams of cocaine hydrochloride and an unspecified quantity of heroin; one count of distribution of heroin and cocaine; one count of distribution of heroin; one count of felon in possession of firearm; one count possession of firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; [3] Ariel Diaz, a/k/a A, age 33, of Williamsport, PA, is charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute more than 500 grams of cocaine hydrochloride; two counts of attempted possession with intent to distribute cocaine hydrochloride; [4] Roberto Rodriguez Bristol, age 28, of Milton, PA, is charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute an unspecified quantity of cocaine; one count of possession of firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; one count of distribution of heroin and cocaine; [5] Tony Orlando Garcia a/k/a Honda, age 40, of Northumberland, PA, is charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute more than 500 grams of cocaine hydrochloride; one count of attempted possession with intent to distribute cocaine hydrochloride; [6] Israel Gonzalez, Jr. a/k/a Jigilo, age 37, of Lewisburg, PA, is charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute more than 500 grams of cocaine hydrochloride and an unspecified quantity of heroin; two counts of attempted possession with intent to distribute cocaine hydrochloride; one count of distribution of cocaine; [7] Yarelis Seda, age 24, of Lewisburg, PA, is charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute mor than 500 grams of cocaine hydrochloride and an unspecified quantity of heroin; one count of attempted possession with intent to distribute cocaine hydrochloride; one count of distribution of cocaine; [8] Kimberly Roman Rivera, age 33, of Lewisburg, PA, is charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute unspecified quantity of cocaine hydrochloride and heroin; [9] Denny Fernandez-Molina, age 44, of Milton, PA, is charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute unspecified quantity of cocaine hydrochloride and heroin; four counts of distribution of cocaine. 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