Authorities announce break-up of major regional drug trafficking ring
Federal, state and local authorities announced Thursday morning that with a total of 46 people now under federal indictment for drug trafficking, the “largest interconnected drug organization” in the region has been dismantled.
Indictments for 19 men accused of trafficking cocaine and heroin in Fayette and Washington counties were unsealed this morning.
“Our strategy has been to identify, disrupt, dismantle and remove the individuals who use drugs as their currency and violence as their means of enforcement,” said U.S. Attorney David J. Hickton at a press conference held at the Uniontown state police barracks.
Hickton was joined by Fayette County District Attorney Rich Bower, FBI special agent Ray Duda and state police Capt. David Heckman, director of the drug law division. Hickton thanked them for their commitment and dedication to breaking up the drug network.
Since 2011, Hickton said, law enforcement agencies have been working quietly to gather data about supply networks, even seeking assistance from the IRS and postal services.
Wire tapping was also used in the investigation, Hickton said.
“It’s not a matter of whether we’ll find you, it’s a matter of when we charge you,” he said.
The indictments are significant for the counties, the region, “and I daresay the country,” Hickton said, adding that drugs flow from New York to California and this bust represents a disruption.
Named in the indictment were: Rodney Harris, 43, of Uniontown; Leslie Blakey, 50, of Uniontown; Gary Bradley, 42, of Arnold; David Crews, 40, of Monessen; Joseph Croftcheck, 67, of Hopwood; Allen Dade, 34, of Brownsville; Barry Douglas, 41, of Waynesburg; Jamal Eddings, 34, of Uniontown; Kwame Eddings, 35, of Uniontown; William Fitzgerald, 41, of Uniontown; Gregory Gray Sr., 53, of Vanderbilt; Eugene Grooms, 40, of Brownsville; Jermaine High, 42, of Hiller; Darnell Howell, 44, formerly of Belle Vernon; Terrance Lewis, 42, of Uniontown; Thomas McGhee, 31, of Cardale; Wesley Middleton, 37, of Brownsville; Norman Thornton, 61, of Donora and Kent Ramsey, 42, of Uniontown.
Authorities alleged that between 2010 and 2015, Harris, Lewis and Bradley conspired to distribute and possessed with the intent to distribute heroin. Also alleged is that Harris and the remaining defendants conspired to distribute and possessed with the intent to distribute cocaine.
Included in the indictment were forfeiture actions for more than $1.1 million in cash, guns and ammunition and a home at 210 Woodstock Ave., Hopwood. Authorities indicated that the forfeiture actions came as a result of a May 5 raid in Fayette County.
Other indictments issued previously include a 247-count one handed down in September that named Andre Saunders, 35, of Uniontown, who was charged with violating drug, gun and money laundering laws.
In December, authorities indicted William J. Chaffin Jr., 48, of Adah; Semori Wilson, 45, formerly of Uniontown; Domin Guerrero-Guerrero, 32, of Lebanon; Dexter Allen, 27, of Uniontown; George Daube, 59, of Donora; Chalfonte Demery, 34, of McKeesport; Damien Gibson, 41, of Duquesne; Peter Hawkins, 44, of McKeesport; Richard Lassic, 41, of Washington; Marquis Bailey, 24, of Uniontown; Tomarrio Blackburn, 33, of McClellandtown; Anitra Dues, 38, of Adah; Brandon Harrison, 29, of McClellandtown; Mark Johnson, 28, of Uniontown; Keith Thomas, 30, of Uniontown; Herbert Ballard, 50, of Pittsburgh and Nygel Saunders, 26, of Uniontown.
A second December indictment named Prince Linton, 41, of Uniontown; Vaughn Gaines, 44, of Uniontown; Donald Nicklo, 40, of Uniontown; Donald Brown, 44, of Latrobe and Megan Gall, 31, of Uniontown.
Another indictment was issued in August 2014 against Kenneth White, 38, of Uniontown; Harold Jones, 27, of Uniontown; George Kiss, 27, of Uniontown and Kendrick Pratt, 35, of Uniontown.
An indictment is an accusation. All defendants are innocent until proven guilty.