Tag: marijuana

bookmark_borderDecriminalization Of Philadelphia

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A new law was passed in Philadelphia, PA that decriminalized the possession of small amounts of marijuana. Possession of less than 30 grams will result in a $25 citation. Public consumption is a $100 citation.

Mike Whiter, of Philly NORMl, and N.A. Poe have been fighting for legalization throughout all of Pennsylvania. This was seen as a major victory in the effort.

Mike arranged with the Philadelphia Police to receive the first citation for smoking at City Hall. “My intention is to point out that Philadelphia finally decriminalized marijuana, that it’s the largest city in the country to do so, and I’m here representing veterans who use marijuana for medicine. And we still can’t get our medicine legally. I can go out and smoke and get a $100 fine. I won’t get put in cuffs, but I’m still not going to have legal access to my medicine.”

bookmark_border25 Charged In Philadelphia

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HARRISBURG, PA — Agents from the Attorney General’s Bureau of Narcotics Investigation have filed criminal charges against 25 individuals allegedly linked to the trafficking of prescription pills, cocaine and marijuana in the greater Philadelphia area, including at least three dealers accused of selling prescription pills on and around university campuses in the region.

Attorney General Linda Kelly said the arrests are the result of an eight month long investigation involving drug trafficking in southeastern Pennsylvania. Evidence and testimony was presented before a statewide investigating grand jury, which recommended the criminal charges that were filed today.

The grand jury found that Thomas Donnelly, of Exton, was a central figure in the organization. Donnelly allegedly distributed powerful prescription pills and other drugs to numerous other dealers and buyers throughout Chester and Montgomery counties, along with Philadelphia and the state of Delaware.

Between September 2011 and March 2012 the investigation revealed that Donnelly and his associates distributed over 700 prescription pills, including OxyContin, Oxycodone and Xanax, along with cocaine and marijuana. The criminal enterprise allegedly generated a profit of $2,000 to $3,000 per week for Donnelly.

Kelly said that Donnelly allegedly obtained the drugs from several main sources: Frank Allison, of Philadelphia; Luis Cubilette, of Philadelphia; Dimitrios Soublis, of Exton; and John Long, of West Chester.

According to the grand jury, Allison served as a source for prescription pills; Cubilette allegedly supplied pills, cocaine and marijuana; Soublis was a source for marijuana and Long occasionally provided prescription pills.

Kelly noted that the investigation into this drug organization initially began as an investigation by the West Chester Police Department into alleged cocaine sales by Thomas Donnelly in that community. The grand jury investigation also included a January 2012 traffic stop of Donnelly’s car by Pennsylvania State Police, which resulted in the discovery of prescription pills, cocaine, marijuana, cash and drug paraphernalia.

According to the grand jury, intercepted telephone calls and surveillance identified numerous individuals involved in the redistribution of drugs for Donnelly, including: Bradley White, Travas Quail-Murrey, Zachery Rosenn, Gregory Mina, Damean Robinson, John Griffy, Michael Anton Warren, Brent Biddle, Brandon Jones and Andre Carter.

Kelly said that intercepted phone calls and grand jury testimony indicated that Donnelly would use these dealers to redistribute drugs to various customers, making arrangements regarding price and delivery method depending on his personal relationship with each dealer.

The grand jury found that three of the dealers linked to the Donnelly organization were involved in the sale of drugs on or around various university campuses.

Zachery Rosenn allegedly ordered bulk quantities of prescription pills for resale on the West Chester University campus; Dominique Simmons, of Philadelphia, was allegedly involved in the sale of pills at Cheney University; and Roman Shekhtman, of Huntingdon Valley, was allegedly involved in the sale of pills on the campus of Temple University. During the course of the investigation, all three allegedly conducted on-campus drug sales to confidential informants or undercover agents.

Kelly said that others linked to the organization, including Christina Bannister and Hayley Ninnis, allegedly drove Donnelly to various drug transactions in exchange for cash, gas money and/or marijuana.

Investigators also identified six other individuals who allegedly purchased drugs from Donnelly for their own personal use, including Thomas Best, Mark Mitchell, Charles Proctor, Chris Giuliano, Ryan Brennan and Ryan Filiaggi.

The criminal charges were filed today before West Chester Magisterial District Judge Mark Bruno.

The defendants will be prosecuted in Chester County by Chief Deputy Attorney General Andrew M. Rongaus and Deputy Attorney General Katherine Corbett Gibson of the Attorney General’s Drug Strike Force Section.

Kelly thanked Chester County District Attorney Tom Hogan and the Chester County District Attorney’s Office, Chester County High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA), Pennsylvania State Police, West Chester Police Department, West Goshen Police Department, Westtown East Goshen Regional Police Department, Coatesville PD, East Whiteland Township PD, Philadelphia Police Department, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (Philadelphia Office), West Chester University Police and Cheney University Police for their cooperation and assistance with this investigation.

Below is a list of the defendants and the charges filed against them:

Thomas Donnelly, 33, 341 Kidwelly Court, Exton,is charged with participating in a corrupt organization; possession and possession with intent to deliver cocaine; possession and possession with intent to deliver Oxycodone; possession and possession with intent to deliver marijuana; criminal conspiracy; criminal use of a communication facility; dealing in unlawful proceeds and violations of the uniform firearms act.

Frank Allison, 46, 1808 South 28th St., Philadelphia,is charged with participating in a corrupt organization; possession and possession with intent to deliver Oxycodone; criminal conspiracy; criminal use of a communication facility and dealing in unlawful proceeds.

Luis Cubilette, 30, 3012 McKinley St., Philadelphia,is charged with participating in a corrupt organization; possession and possession with intent to deliver cocaine; possession and possession with intent to deliver Oxycodone; possession and possession with intent to deliver marijuana; criminal conspiracy; criminal use of a communication facility and dealing in unlawful proceeds.

Dimitrios Soublis, 32, 103 Bridle Lane, Exton, is charged with participating in a corrupt organization; possession and possession with intent to deliver marijuana; criminal conspiracy; criminal use of a communication facility and dealing in unlawful proceeds.

John Long, 615 Downingtown Pike, West Chester,is charged with possession and possession with intent to deliver Oxycodone; criminal conspiracy; criminal use of a communication facility and dealing in unlawful proceeds.

Zachary Rosenn, 21, 2270 Jefferson Lane, Huntingdon Valley, is charged with participating in a corrupt organization; possession and possession with intent to deliver Oxycodone; criminal conspiracy; criminal use of a communication facility and dealing in unlawful proceeds.

Brent Biddle, 38, 65 Foxview Road, Honey Brook,is charged with participating in a corrupt organization; possession and possession with intent to deliver cocaine; possession and possession with intent to deliver marijuana; criminal conspiracy and criminal use of a communication facility.

Andre Carter, of Wilmington, Delaware,is charged with participating in a corrupt organization; possession and possession with intent to deliver marijuana; criminal conspiracy; criminal use of a communication facility and dealing in unlawful proceeds.

John Griffy, 27, 75 West Lancaster Ave., Downingtown,is charged with participating in a corrupt organization; possession and possession with intent to deliver cocaine; possession and possession with intent to deliver Oxycodone; possession and possession with intent to deliver marijuana; criminal conspiracy; criminal use of a communication facility and dealing in unlawful proceeds.

Brandon Jones, 29, 25 South High St., West Chester,is charged with participating in a corrupt organization; possession and possession with intent to deliver Oxycodone; criminal conspiracy; criminal use of a communication facility and dealing in unlawful proceeds.

Gregory Mina, 24, 287 Cotswold Lane, West Chester,is charged with participating in a corrupt organization; possession and possession with intent to deliver cocaine; possession and possession with intent to deliver Oxycodone; possession and possession with intent to deliver marijuana; criminal conspiracy; criminal use of a communication facility and dealing in unlawful proceeds.

Travas Quail-Murrey, 22, 146 Weedon Court, West Chester,is charged with participating in a corrupt organization; possession and possession with intent to deliver cocaine; possession and possession with intent to deliver Oxycodone; possession and possession with intent to deliver marijuana; criminal conspiracy; criminal use of a communication facility and dealing in unlawful proceeds.

Damean Robinson, 34, 601 Downingtown Pike, West Chester, is charged with participating in a corrupt organization; possession and possession with intent to deliver cocaine; possession and possession with intent to deliver Oxycodone; possession and possession with intent to deliver marijuana; criminal conspiracy; criminal use of a communication facility and dealing in unlawful proceeds.

Michael Antwon Warren, 33, 2 Ingleside Drive, Thorndale, is charged with participating in a corrupt organization; possession and possession with intent to deliver cocaine; possession and possession with intent to deliver Oxycodone; criminal conspiracy; criminal use of a communication facility and dealing in unlawful proceeds.

Bradley White, 22, 944 Elmwood Ave., West Chester, is charged with participating in a corrupt organization; possession and possession with intent to deliver cocaine; criminal conspiracy and dealing in unlawful proceeds.

Roman Shekhtman, 22, 151 Roy Lane, Huntingdon Valley, is charged with possession and possession with intent to deliver Oxycodone; criminal use of a communication facility and dealing in unlawful proceeds.

Dominique Simmons, 20, 141 Durham St., Philadelphia, is charged with possession and possession with intent to deliver Oxycodone; criminal conspiracy; criminal use of a communication facility and dealing in unlawful proceeds.

Christina Bannister, 22, 480 Cassatt Court, West Chester,is charged with participating in a corrupt organization; possession and possession with intent to deliver Oxycodone; criminal conspiracy; criminal use of a communication facility; dealing in unlawful proceeds and false reports to law enforcement authorities.

Hayley Ninnis, 32, 826 Jefferson Way, West Chester,is charged with participating in a corrupt organization; criminal conspiracy; criminal use of a communication facility and dealing in unlawful proceeds.

Thomas Best, 30, 305 South Parkway, Broomall, is charged with possession of a controlled substance and criminal use of a communication facility.

Ryan Brennan, 29, 1009 Ridgewood Lane, West Chester,is charged possession of a controlled substance and criminal use of a communication facility.

Ryan Filiaggi, 31, 105 Bellevue Road, Coatesville,is charged with possession of a controlled substance and criminal use of a communication facility.

Chris Giuliano, 35, 11 Cherry St., Downingtown, is charged possession of a controlled substance and criminal use of a communication facility.

Mark Mitchell, 42, 1136 Stirling St., Coatesville,is charged with possession of a controlled substance and criminal use of a communication facility.

Charles Proctor, 28, 5200 Hilltop Drive, Brookhaven, is charged with possession of a controlled substance and criminal use of a communication facility.

(A person charged with a crime is presumed innocent until proven guilty)

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Editors’ Note:
Photos of the defendants are attached below.
Click here to view the grand jury presentment.
If you have trouble viewing these items contact the Attorney General’s Press Office at 717-787-5211.

bookmark_borderOperation Texas Twins

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Attorney General Kelly and PSP announce arrests in “Operation Texas Twins;” $100,000 Texas to northwestern PA marijuana trafficking network

HARRISBURG, PA — Agents from the Attorney General’s Bureau of Narcotics Investigation and Pennsylvania State Police have filed criminal charges against nine individuals linked to an organization allegedly responsible for shipping large quantities of marijuana from Texas to northwestern Pennsylvania.

Attorney General Linda Kelly said the grand jury investigation, known as “Operation Texas Twins,” identified two brothers – Marcelino Rodriguez, of Eddy, Texas and Miguel Rodriguez, of Corpus Christi – accused of coordinating the transportation and distribution of as much as 20 pounds of marijuana per month, over a two year period of time.

According to the grand jury, Miguel Rodriguez operated from Texas, communicating with his brother Marcelino and other associates by telephone in order to arrange the shipment of drugs to Pennsylvania and the transfer of money back to Texas.

Kelly said the Rodriguez brothers were allegedly assisted by Robert Karl Conaway, who is accused of assisting in the distribution of marijuana in and around Crawford County.

“This was a coordinated effort to move significant quantities of drugs into communities across northwestern Pennsylvania which continued even after key figures were arrested and jailed,” Kelly said.

Kelly noted that Marcelino Rodriguez and Robert Conaway were arrested in Crawford County in August 2010, on unrelated warrants, but the two allegedly attempted to continue operating their drug organization from inside the prison.

The grand jury found that Rodriguez and Conaway made numerous telephone calls from inside the prison, which were recorded for monitoring by law enforcement.

Kelly said that agents from the Attorney General’s Office and Pennsylvania State Police used information from those calls, along with surveillance, confidential informants, the review of financial records from wire transfer services and other investigative techniques to identify other associates who allegedly assisted in the operation of this drug organization.

Adam Wood, of Venango, is accused of assisting in the distribution of marijuana, including the retrieval of drugs and cash from a vehicle that had been left in the parking lot of a motel in Meadville when Conaway and Rodriguez were arrested in 2010.

Kelly said that in phone calls recorded at the Crawford County Prison, Conaway, Rodriguez and Wood allegedly discussed the status of drug sales, including the fact that Wood had six pounds of marijuana remaining and that Miguel Rodriguez was still owed $4,000.  They also allegedly reviewed the correct prices that should be charged for different quantities of the drug.

According to the grand jury, Elizabeth Bevilheimer, of Saegertown – the girlfriend of Adam Wood – assisted in the recovery of the car that Conaway and Rodriguez were driving when they were arrested.  Bevilheimer was also allegedly involved in at least eight wire transfers of money to Texas, totaling more than $15,000, and was overheard in recorded prison phone calls complaining that she was not getting enough money for the work that she was performing.

Kelly said that Pamela Barrientos, of Eddy, Texas, allegedly acted as a distributor of funds for the organization – receiving thousands of dollars in wire transfers and then communicating by phone with Marcelino Rodriguez about how much money different participants should be making from the drug transactions.  Calls between Rodriguez and other parties also included instructions to “send all the Pennsylvania money to Pamela.”

According to the criminal charges, Laura Rodriguez, of Chilton, Texas – sister of Marcelino and Miguel – assisted in the transfer of drug funds.  She was heard on intercepted prison telephone calls with Marcelino Rodriguez discussing the sale price of marijuana being sold in Pennsylvania, New York and Georgia.

The grand jury found that Jeramie Ebbert, of Meadville, served as the recipient of marijuana shipments from Texas and assisted with the sale of drugs to street-level buyers.

Kelly said that Silas Mark Deets, of Venango, was allegedly paid to receive shipments of marijuana from Texas which were arranged by Conaway.  One of those deliveries to Deets, containing approximately 4.5 kilos of marijuana, was intercepted by U.S. Postal Inspectors. Deets was allegedly paid with cash and drugs to pick up the packages.

“This was a significant organization on many levels,” Kelly said,” involving cross-country shipment of large quantities of high-grade marijuana, the movement of more than $100,000 in drug payments and the long-distance coordination of numerous drug deals over many years.”

Kelly noted that in conjunction with today’s filing of charges in Pennsylvania, authorities in Texas are executing search and arrest warrants as part of a continuing investigation to identify the original sources for the marijuana involved in this case.

The criminal charges were filed today before Saegertown, Crawford County, Magisterial District Judge Lincoln S. Zilhaver.

The defendants will be prosecuted in Crawford County by Senior Deputy Attorney General Douglas J. Wright of the Attorney General’s Drug Strike Force Section.

Kelly thanked the Pennsylvania State Police, Crawford County District Attorney’s Office, Erie County District Attorney’s Office, Crawford County Sheriff’s Office, the Northwest Drug Task Force, United States Postal Inspection Service and the U.S. Marshal’s Fugitive Task Force for their cooperation and assistance with this investigation.

A full list of the defendants and the charges filed against them is included below:

Marcelino Rodriguez, 29, Eddy, Texas, is charged with two counts of participating in a corrupt organization, both first-degree felonies each punishable by up to 20 years in prison and a $25,000 fine; one count of dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity, a first-degree felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison and a $25,000 fine; one count of delivery of a controlled substance, a felony punishable by up to five years in prison and a $15,000 fine; one count of possession of a controlled substance, a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in prison and a $5,000 fine; one count of criminal conspiracy, an ungraded felony punishable by up to five years in prison and a $15,000 fine; and one count of criminal use of a communications facility, a third-degree felony punishable by up to seven years in prison and a $15,000 fine.

Miguel Rodriguez, 29, Corpus Christi, Texas, is charged with two counts of participating in a corrupt organization, both first-degree felonies each punishable by up to 20 years in prison and a $25,000 fine; one count of delivery of a controlled substance, a felony punishable by up to five years in prison and a $15,000 fine; one count of possession of a controlled substance, a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in prison and a $5,000 fine; one count of delivery of a controlled substance, a felony punishable by up to five years in prison and a $15,000 fine; one count of criminal conspiracy, an ungraded felony punishable by up to five years in prison and a $15,000 fine; one count of criminal use of a communications facility, a third-degree felony punishable by up to seven years in prison and a $15,000 fine; and one count of dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity, a first-degree felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison and a $25,000 fine.

Robert Karl Conaway, 29, address unknown, is charged with two counts of participating in a corrupt organization, both first-degree felonies each punishable by up to 20 years in prison and $25,000 fines; three counts of delivery of a controlled substance, all felonies which are each punishable by up to five years in prison and a $15,000 fine; two counts of possession of a controlled substance, both misdemeanors each punishable by up to one year in prison and a $5,000 fine; one count of criminal conspiracy, an ungraded felony punishable by up to five years in prison and a $15,000 fine; one count of criminal use of a communications facility, a third-degree felony punishable by up to seven years in prison and a $15,000 fine; and one count of dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity, a first-degree felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison and a $25,000 fine.

Adam Wood, 25, 20412 Main St., Venango, is charged with two counts of participating in a corrupt organization, both first-degree felonies each punishable by up to 20 years in prison and $25,000 fines; one count of dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity, a first-degree felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison and a $25,000 fine; one count of delivery of a controlled substance, a felony punishable by up to five years in prison and a $15,000 fine; one count of possession of a controlled substance, a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in prison and a $5,000 fine; one count of criminal conspiracy, an ungraded felony punishable by up to five years in prison and a $15,000 fine; and one count of criminal use of a communications facility, a third-degree felony punishable by up to seven years in prison and a $15,000 fine.

Elizabeth Ann Bevilheimer, 25, Saegertown, is charged with one count of dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity, a first-degree felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison and a $25,000 fine; one count of criminal use of a communications facility, a third-degree felony punishable by up to seven years in prison and a $15,000 fine; and one count of criminal conspiracy, an ungraded felony punishable by up to five years in prison and a $15,000 fine.

Pamela Barrientos, 25, Eddy, Texas, is charged with one count of dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity, a first-degree felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison and a $25,000 fine; one count of criminal use of a communications facility, a third-degree felony punishable by up to seven years in prison and a $15,000 fine; and one count of criminal conspiracy, an ungraded felony punishable by up to five years in prison and a $15,000 fine.

Laura Rodriguez, 30, Chilton, Texas, is charged with one count of dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity, a first-degree felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison and a $25,000 fine; one count of criminal use of a communications facility, a third-degree felony punishable by up to seven years in prison and a $15,000 fine; and one count of criminal conspiracy, an ungraded felony punishable by up to five years in prison and a $15,000 fine.

Jeramie John Ebbert, 25, 1108 South Main St., Meadville, is charged with one count of delivery of marijuana, an ungraded felony punishable by up to five years in prison and a $15,000 fine; one count of possession of marijuana, a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in prison and a $5,000 fine; one count of criminal use of a communications facility, a third-degree felony punishable by up to seven years in prison and a $15,000 fine; and one count of criminal conspiracy, an ungraded felony punishable by up to five years in prison and a $15,000 fine.

Silas Mark Deets, 60, 21658 Cussewago Road, Venango, is charged with one count of criminal conspiracy, an ungraded felony punishable by up to five years in prison and a $15,000 fine and one count of criminal use of a communications facility, a third-degree felony punishable by up to seven years in prison and a $15,000 fine.

(A person charged with a crime is presumed innocent until proven guilty)

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Editors’ Note:
Click here to view the grand jury presentment for Operation Texas Twins.