OFFICE OF THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY

Transcription

1 OFFICE OF THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY RISA VETRI FERMAN DISTRICT ATTORNEY KEVIN R. STEELE FIRST ASSISTANT DISTRICT ATTORNEY COUNTY OF MONTGOMERY COURTHOUSE P.O. BOX 311 NORRISTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA EDMUND H. JUSTICE CHIEF COUNTY DETECTIVE STEVEN J. LATZER CHIEF OF STAFF DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE (610) DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S FAX (610) COUNTY DETECTIVE BUREAU (610) FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 15, 2011 Montgomery Chester and Philadelphia Drug Operation Taken Down with Wiretaps Montgomery County District Attorney Risa Vetri Ferman, along with the following law enforcement officials, announce arrests resulting from a series of wiretaps on major cocaine traffickers operating in Montgomery, Chester and Philadelphia Counties: Pennsylvania Attorney General Linda Kelly, Chester County District Attorney Joseph Carroll, Philadelphia District Attorney Seth Williams, Montgomery County Detective Bureau Chief Oscar P. Vance, Jr., Pennsylvania State Police Colonel Frank Noonan and Captain Timothy McDonald, Tredyffrin Township Police Superintendant Andrew W. Chambers, Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge John Bryfonski, West Norriton Police Chief Robert Adams, Upper Merion Police Chief Ronald Fonock, Upper Providence Police Chief Donald Sherid, Upper Dublin Police Chief Terrence Thompson, Whitpain Police Chief Mark Smith, Plymouth Police Chief Joseph Lawrence, Montgomery County Correctional Facility Warden Julio Algarin, Souderton Police Chief James Leary, Norristown Police Chief Russell Bono, Pottstown Police Chief Mark Flanders, Montgomery Township Police Chief Richard Brady, and Lower Providence Police Department Chief Francis Carroll. In November, 2008, Tredyffrin Township Police, Chester County, began an investigation on Anthony Dennis, who operated the Heads Up barbershop at 932 Old Gulph Mill Road, Wayne, within their jurisdiction. Their investigation was code named Operation Heads Up by the Drug Enforcement Administration, and work was being done by Tredyffrin Township Police, Chester County HIDTA Task Force (High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas), PA Attorney General s Office (BNI) and DEA. In February, 2010, detectives and agents met with Montgomery County NET to discuss the case. Those law enforcement officers reported to NET that Anthony Dennis, a resident of Montgomery Township (119 Thames Drive) Montgomery County, PA, and his brother Michael Dennis, of Philadelphia, were engaged in the sale of large quantities of Cocaine to various individuals including Cocaine dealers in Montgomery County.

2 From February, 2010 through April 13, 2011, detectives gathered information on the Dennis Drug Trafficking Organization, discovering that James Twin Adams of Norristown was among the list of cocaine dealers who received their cocaine supply from them. Because of the magnitude of the investigation a series of non-consensual wiretaps were applied for NET involving the following: On April 13, 2011, Superior Court approved the wiretapping of James Twin Adams cellular telephone (cell phone fictitiously subscribed). On April 15, 2011, Superior Court approved the wiretapping of two of Anthony Dennis cellular telephones (one cell phone fictitiously subscribed). On April 29, 2011, Superior Court approved the wiretapping of one of Michael Dennis cellular telephones. On May 17, 2011, Superior Court approved the wiretapping of another of Michael Dennis cellular telephones (cell phone fictitiously subscribed). Between April 13, 2011 and May 18, 2011, law enforcement officers who started the investigation, with additional assistance from the Montgomery County District Attorney s Drug Task Force (West Norriton PD; Upper Merion PD; Upper Providence PD; Upper Dublin PD; Whitpain; Plymouth PD; Souderton PD) and the Pennsylvania State Police were assigned monitoring and surveillance duties in an effort to dismantle the Dennis Drug Trafficking Organization. On May 18, 2011, detectives monitored the wiretaps and learned Anthony Dennis was to purchase 9 ounces of Cocaine in order to fill orders from his customers. Samuel Marshall, identified as one of Dennis source of Cocaine supply, exited the Target store on City Line Avenue, Philadelphia. Marshall approached a vehicle driven by Anthony Dennis, which was in the parking lot of the Target store. Detectives arrested them, seizing 9 ounces of Cocaine from the sock of Samuel Marshall, and $9,200 in cash from the vehicle driven by Anthony Dennis, along with their cell phones. On May 18, 2011, seventy-two (72) law enforcement officers participated in the simultaneous raids of twenty-one (21) locations in three Pennsylvania counties: Montgomery (14 locations including 11 in Norristown Borough), Chester (3 locations including the barbershop in Wayne) and Philadelphia (4 locations). The following items of significance were seized: Approximately 4 pounds of cocaine (street value: $204,800); 6.5 pounds of cutting agents; 10 digital scales; 14 vehicles (photo); a 19 foot Pro Line fishing Boat from a storage facility in Collegeville;

3 $76,308 cash; 2 handguns; 4 shotguns; 5 rifles; one Mac caliber handgun; 2 ballistic vests. During the service of one of the search warrants in Norristown (219 Buttonwood Street, Norristown, home of Mike Piccarreta and Victoria Santino), detectives were attacked at the front door by a large pit bull which was unrestrained by its owner. Detectives were forced to shoot the dog to prevent injury to themselves and neighbors around the residence. Six (6) suspects were immediately arrested on May 18, 2011 and arraigned before Magisterial District Judge Maruszczak. Anthony Dennis (Bail $2,000,000 remanded to MCCF) Michael Dennis (Bail $2,000,000 remanded to MCCF) Sam Marshall (Bail $1,000,000 remanded to MCCF) James Twin Adams (Bail $1,000,000 remanded to MCCF) Preston Pretty York (Bail $1,000,000 remanded to MCCF) Michael Piccarreta (Bail $25,000 posted) Twenty-seven (27) individuals were charged June 14th for their involvement in this Corrupt Organization. Their involvement is as follows: Source of supply for main target Anthony Dennis Sam Marshall (age 35; 5046 N. Hutchinson Street, Philadelphia) Corrupt Organization; Intent to Deliver and Delivery of Cocaine; Criminal Conspiracy; Criminal use of telecommunications facilities; Dealing in the Proceeds of Criminal Activities.

4 Sam Marshall Main target of case supplier of Cocaine to others Anthony Dennis (age 39; 119 Thames Drive, Montgomery Township, PA) Corrupt Organization; Intent to Deliver and Delivery of Cocaine; Criminal Conspiracy; Criminal use of telecommunications facilities; Dealing in the Proceeds of Criminal Activities; Drug Paraphernalia. Anthony Dennis Main target of case supplier of Cocaine to others Michael Dennis (age 34; 1024 Earl Street, Philadelphia) Corrupt Organization; Intent to Deliver and Delivery of Cocaine; Criminal Conspiracy; Criminal use of telecommunications facilities; Dealing in the Proceeds of Criminal Activities; Drug Paraphernalia. Michael Dennis Main target of case - Cocaine customer of Anthony Dennis; Cocaine supplier to others in Norristown and Montgomery County.

5 James Twin Adams (age 46; 24 Hartranft Avenue, Norristown) Corrupt Organization; Intent to Deliver and Delivery of Cocaine; Criminal Conspiracy; Criminal use of telecommunications facilities; Dealing in the Proceeds of Criminal Activities; Persons not to possess firearm; Possession of an Instrument of a crime; Drug Paraphernalia. James "Twin" Adams Cocaine customer of Anthony Dennis; Cocaine supplier to others in Norristown. Preston Pretty York (age 38; 803 Buttonwood Street, Norristown) Corrupt Organization; Intent to Deliver and Delivery of Cocaine; Criminal Conspiracy; Criminal use of telecommunications facilities; Dealing in the Proceeds of Criminal Activities; Persons not to possess firearm; Possession of an Instrument of a crime; Drug Paraphernalia. Preston Pretty York Cocaine customer of James Adams; sub-dealer for James Adams Oliver Ray Darden (age 55; 118 East Chestnut Street, Norristown) - Corrupt Organization; Intent to Deliver and Delivery of Cocaine; Possession of Cocaine; Criminal Conspiracy; Criminal use of telecommunications facilities; Dealing in the Proceeds of Criminal Activities.

6 Oliver Ray Darden Drug Customers of James Twin Adams: Michael Piccarreta (age 31; 219 Buttonwood Street, Norristown) Corrupt Organization; Intent to Deliver and Delivery of Cocaine; Possession of Cocaine; Possession of Prescription Medications; Criminal Conspiracy; Criminal use of telecommunications facilities; Dealing in the Proceeds of Criminal Activities; Drug Paraphernalia. Michael Piccarreta Michael Cemini (age 36; 1301 West Elm Street, Norristown) - Corrupt Organization; Intent to Deliver and Delivery of Cocaine; Possession of Cocaine; Criminal Conspiracy; Criminal use of telecommunications facilities. Michael Cemini Joseph Singleton (age 48; 231 East Marshall Street, Apartment 1, Norristown) - - Corrupt Organization; Possession of Cocaine; Criminal Conspiracy; Criminal use of telecommunications facilities.

7 Joseph Singleton Samuel Willis (age 66; 419 East Fornance Street, Apartment B, Norristown) - Corrupt Organization; Possession of Cocaine; Criminal Conspiracy; Criminal use of telecommunications facilities; Drug Paraphernalia. Samuel Willis Joseph Branch (age 49; 649 George Street, Norristown) - - Corrupt Organization; Possession of Cocaine; Criminal Conspiracy; Criminal use of telecommunications facilities; Dealing in the Proceeds of Criminal Activities. Joseph Branch Victoria Santino (age 26; 219 Buttonwood Street, Norristown) - Corrupt Organization; Intent to Deliver Cocaine; Possession of Cocaine; Criminal Conspiracy; Criminal use of telecommunications facilities.

8 Victoria Santino Craig Jones (age 50; 4004 Browning Court, Norristown) - - Corrupt Organization; Possession of Cocaine; Criminal Conspiracy; Criminal use of telecommunications facilities; Dealing in the Proceeds of Criminal Activities. Craig Jones Heriberto Eddie Delmoral (age 44; 700 DeKalb Pike, Apartment #3, Norristown) - Corrupt Organization; Intent to Deliver Cocaine; Possession of Cocaine; Criminal Conspiracy; Criminal use of telecommunications facilities. Heriberto Eddie Delmoral Vincent (Last name unknown) - Corrupt Organization; Possession of Cocaine; Criminal Conspiracy; Criminal use of telecommunications facilities. Donna (Last name unknown) - Corrupt Organization; Possession of Cocaine; Criminal Conspiracy; Criminal use of telecommunications facilities. Drug Customers of Anthony Dennis:

9 Karl Myers (age 36; 920 South 15th Street, Philadelphia) - Corrupt Organization; Intent to Deliver and Delivery of Cocaine; Criminal Conspiracy; Criminal use of telecommunications facilities; Dealing in the Proceeds of Criminal Activities. Karl Myers Eric Deans (age 41; 550 Noble Street, Norristown) - Corrupt Organization; Criminal use of telecommunications facilities. Eric Deans Michael Hampton (age 39; 423 South Main Street, Spring City, Chester County) - Corrupt Organization; Intent to Deliver and Delivery of Cocaine; Criminal Conspiracy; Criminal use of telecommunications facilities; Dealing in the Proceeds of Criminal Activities; Persons not to possess firearm; Possession/Use of Body Armor; Possession of an Instrument of a Crime; Drug Paraphernalia. Michael Hampton Patrick Wedderburn (age 31; 480 Orchard Road, King of Prussia) - Corrupt Organization; Intent to Deliver and Delivery of Cocaine; Criminal Conspiracy; Criminal use of telecommunications facilities; Dealing in the Proceeds of Criminal Activities.

10 Patrick Wedderburn Riley Saxon (age 52; 122 Rosemont Street) - Corrupt Organization; Intent to Deliver and Delivery of Cocaine; Criminal Conspiracy; Criminal use of telecommunications facilities; Possession of an Instrument of a Crime; Drug Paraphernalia. Riley Saxon Richard Knight (age 39; 315 S. Valley Forge Road, Apartment #11, Devon) - Corrupt Organization; Intent to Deliver and Delivery of Cocaine; Criminal Conspiracy; Criminal use of telecommunications facilities. Richard Knight Alan Kirsch, Jr (age 53; 201 Conshohocken State Road, Gladwyn) - Corrupt Organization; Possession of Cocaine; Criminal Conspiracy; Criminal use of telecommunications facilities; Dealing in the Proceeds of Criminal Activities.

11 Alan Kirsch, Jr. Gary Carter (age 31; 932 Upper Gulph Road, Wayne) - Corrupt Organization; Intent to Deliver and Delivery of Cocaine; Criminal Conspiracy; Criminal use of telecommunications facilities; Possession of an Instrument of a Crime; Drug Paraphernalia. Gary Carter Edward Durrell, Jr (age 42; 8 Marion Road, Phoenixville) - Corrupt Organization; Intent to Deliver and Delivery of Cocaine; Criminal Conspiracy; Criminal use of telecommunications facilities; Dealing in the Proceeds of Criminal Activities; Drug Paraphernalia. Edward Durrell, Jr. Kevin Welburn (age 41; 630 Calamia Drive, Norristown) - Corrupt Organization; Intent to Deliver and Delivery of Cocaine; Criminal Conspiracy; Criminal use of telecommunications facilities.

12 Kevin Welburn Kenneth Upton (age 48; 1374 County Line Road, Radnor) - Corrupt Organization; Possession of Cocaine; Criminal Conspiracy; Criminal use of telecommunications facilities. Kenneth Upton Arraignments will take place on June 15th at Magisterial District Judge William Maruszczak s Court, 485 South Henderson Road, Upper Merion, starting at 12:00 noon. This case is an example of the cooperative effort of many law enforcement agencies, pooling their resources to dismantle major sources of Cocaine supply in Montgomery, Chester and Philadelphia Counties. Though a widespread investigation, case was done efficiently by targeting specific cocaine suppliers to our region and dismantling their organization. Approved for release, Risa Vetri Ferman CRIMINAL CHARGES, AND ANY DISCUSSION THEREOF, ARE MERELY ALLEGATIONS AND ALL DEFENDANTS ARE PRESUMED INNOCENT UNTIL AND UNLESS PROVEN GUILTY.