DOJ charges seven in Pennsylvania for suspected fentanyl robbery gang

PENNSYLVANIA (WTAJ) — Seven people were charged by a federal grand jury in Pennsylvania Friday for their alleged roles in a wide-ranging conspiracy that led to four people dying.

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Amanda Correa, 29, Robert Barnes, 24, Christine DiCarlo, 50, Shaqare Blackwell, 23, Shakur Brownstein, 27, Dylan Small, 35 and Samual Jordan, 42, all were charged in connection to the “Fentanyl Robbery Gang (F.R.G).”

The indictment notes that the seven, which some are affiliated with New York gangs, trafficked drugs and guns. Additionally, they are accused of using dating websites to connect with individuals interested in hiring prostitutes. Members of the gang would make arrangements, according to the indictment, to meet with the victim with the intent to rob them of firearms, cash, cell phones, IDs, debit and credit cards, drugs and other valuable items.

Other victims were also offered narcotics, usually cocaine, however, they contained fentanyl. According to the release, if a victim refused the drugs, members of the gang would forcibly administer the fentanyl-laced drugs. This would allow gang members to incapacitate victims and allow them to rob them.

The indictment alleges that due to these acts, four individuals have died as a direct result of overdosing on fentanyl. Three deaths occurred in Berks and Luzerne Counties while one death happened in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

All seven were charged with conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance resulting in death and serious bodily injury, two counts of distributing fentanyl resulting in death and serious bodily injuries, two counts of brandishing firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking crime, kidnapping and aggravated identify theft, according to the DOJ.

All seven are currently in police custody, however, it is still an ongoing investigation as law enforcement attempts to identify and arrest additional gang members.

Get the latest news, weather forecasts and sports stories delivered straight to your inbox! Sign up for our newsletters .

Victims and others who may have information concerning F.R.G. are requested to contact the FBI at 570-344-2404.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTAJ - www.wtaj.com.