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Over two dozen defendants indicted in Erie-based drug trafficking, firearm operations
By Matt Mathias,
7 days ago
Erie, Pa. ( WJET/WFXP ) — Federal, state and local law enforcement agencies announced one of the largest criminal arrests in Erie’s history on Thursday.
This comes after several raids were conducted throughout Erie and western Pennsylvania that resulted in the arrest of 22 individuals, with five more being searched for.
More than two dozen people from the Erie area were indicted on drug and firearms-related charges as part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force Investigation (OCDETF).
According to FBI officials out of Pittsburgh, 27 people have been federally indicted for their alleged roles in drug operations and firearms violations throughout the region — 22 of those people are from the City of Erie.
Together, officials allege the defendants in these cases made up a network of overlapping regional drug dealers based out of Erie.
In total, they were thought to be distributing more than two kilograms of cocaine, 12 kilograms of methamphetamine, two kilograms of fentanyl powder and more than 20,000 fentanyl pills.
Investigators with the Erie Area Gang Law Enforcement (EAGLE) task force claim it amounts to several hundred thousand dollars worth of narcotics.
“These cases are not about the number of defendants charged. They are about making a difference in the lives of ordinary people who just want to walk down the street or go to a playground without fear of encountering violent, armed drug traffickers,” said United States Attorney Eric Olshan, Western District of Pennsylvania.
Beyond the drug charges, devices known as “switches” have become prevalent in the area, and some have been taken off of the streets with these arrests.
Those “switches” are attached to semi-automatic weapons making them fully automatic and even more dangerous.
Olshan said they believe another drug network will step up to fill the void in the area after these arrests. But he said they’re already working to stop these people before they embed themselves into the community.
We’re told many of these drugs were linked with the Mexican Cartel and made their way into Erie and the United States through checked baggage.
“The cartels are using different technological methods. We can’t really discuss them here, but we’re trying to stay out in front of this and develop techniques to stop them as they come across the border,” said Christopher Giordano, assistant special agent in charge, FBI.
As of right now, the five men below are still at large, and investigators are tracking them down.
Raids conducted have been ongoing for the past four months, many happening Wednesday starting at 6 a.m. This is the third large-scale arrest operation in the Erie area in as many years.
“But our work does not stop with yesterday’s results. Today, we begin new investigations. We start fighting again to bring justice to these individuals that are pushing this poison and this violence into this community and communities all across western Pennsylvania,” Giordano added.
“Our resolve is stronger than theirs. Our office and our law enforcement partners standing here with us here today have been working out on the streets to keep our communities safe, free of drugs and gun violence, and are steadfast in our shared commitment to identify and prosecute those who put the public at risk,” Olshan said.
The full list of alleged suspects can be viewed below. Indictments are legal accusations, all defendants are assumed to be innocent until proven guilty.
Defendant
Charges
14 defendants charged in group one
Colone D. Roberts
– Conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 400g or more of a mixture and substance containing fentanyl and methamphetamine – Possession with intent to distribute 400g or more of a mixture and substance containing fentanyl – Possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon – Possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime
Amajaeon D. Moore
– Conspiracy to possess 400g or more of fentanyl with intent to distribute – Attempt to possess 400g or more of fentanyl with intent to distribute – Possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon – Possession with the intent to distribute a quantity of a mixture and substance
Onyeah L. Roberts
Possession of fentanyl
Shaliel D. Wall
– Conspiracy to possess 400 grams or more of fentanyl and possession of meth with intent to distribute – Possession of 40g or more of fentanyl and possession of meth with intent to distribute – Possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime
Dajuwon B. Faulkner “Scat”
– Conspiracy to possess 40g or more of fentanyl and 50g or more of meth with intent to distribute – Possession of 50g or more of meth with intent to distribute
Oliver D. Williams
Conspiracy to possess 40g or more of fentanyl and 50g or more of meth with intent to distribute
Jamaine J. Gambill
Conspiracy to possess 50g or more of meth with intent to distribute
Noah D. Thomas
Conspiracy to possess 50g or more of meth with intent to distribute and possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute
Desmar D. Sansom
Conspiracy to possess 50g or more of meth with intent to distribute and possession of fentanyl
Kory P. Durfey
Conspiracy to distribute and possess quantity of fentanyl and meth
Michael R. Nelson
– Conspiracy to possess 50g or more of meth with intent to distribute – Possession of 50g or more of meth with intent to distribute
John A. Lauver
– Conspiracy to possess 50g or more of meth with intent to distribute – Possession of 50g or more of meth with intent to distribute
Deborah L. Bean
Conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute meth
Terrell L. Stonewall
Conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute meth
4 defendants charged in group two
Thomas D. Moffett “Tommy”
– Conspiracy to distribute and possess 40g or more of fentanyl and 50g or more of meth with intent to distribute – Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon
Jaymii A. Davis
Conspiracy to distribute and possess 40g or more of fentanyl with intent to distribute
Elisabeth M. Burger
Conspiracy to possess 50g or more of meth with intent to distribute
Paul S. Denning
Conspiracy to possess a quantity of meth and fentanyl with intent to distribute
Defendants charged individually
Christopher E. Barnes
Possession of 50g or more of meth with intent to distribute
Darrian M. Brooks
– Possession with intent to distribute 400g or more of fentanyl – Possession of a firearm and ammunition by convicted felon – Unlawful possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime
Lee E. McLaurin Jr.
Conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine
Miciah R. McLaurin
Conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine
Oarmell B. Douglas “Mel”
Possession of 500g or more of cocaine, 40g or more of fentanyl, and 50g or more of meth with intent to distribute
Oujacquan A. Jones
Possession of 50g or more of meth and cocaine with intent to distribute
Brendon Malone
Possession of a machinegun
Aaquil Pacley
– Possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute – Possession of 50g or more of meth with intent to distribute
Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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