bookmark_border25 Charged In Philadelphia

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_borderPhiladelphia Caseworkers Charged

HARRISBURG, PA — Agents from the Attorney General’s Public Corruption Unit and Bureau of Criminal Investigation have arrested two Philadelphia area residents accused of using their positions with the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare to steal nearly $300,000 in public assistance benefits.

Attorney General Linda Kelly identified the defendants as Cynthia A. Lewis, age 47 of 16 Oxford St., Lansdowne, and Ivan Jones, age 43, of 1411 South Etting St., Philadelphia. Both Lewis and Jones worked as Income Maintenance Caseworkers at the Department of Public Welfare’s Delaware County Assistance Office, located in Darby.

Public assistance benefits are intended to aid Pennsylvania residents struggling to feed and support their families,” Kelly said. “These individuals not only corrupted that system and stole taxpayer funds for their own personal gain, but literally took money and food from the mouths of families in need.”

Kelly said these arrests are the result of an ongoing investigation by the Office of Attorney General into allegations of theft and fraud involving public assistance benefits in Pennsylvania. The charges announced today were recommended by a statewide investigation grand jury, which heard evidence and testimony about criminal activity involving state employees responsible for authorizing and administrating cash assistance, food stamps and other taxpayer funded benefits.

According to the grand jury, Cynthia Lewis fabricated and maintained six public assistance accounts and approved more than $250,000 in public assistance benefits for those bogus accounts. The funding that Lewis authorized was purportedly for food stamps, medical benefits and “special cash allowances” needed to cover other expenses for the recipients.

Kelly said the payments arranged by Lewis were placed on state-issued Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards, which can be used much like ATM cards at businesses and banks. Photographs and video from surveillance systems at various financial institutions in the Philadelphia area allegedly show Lewis using EBT cards to withdraw funds from those accounts.

The grand jury determined that between 2007 and 2011 Lewis received more than $254,000 as a result of this criminal scheme. The stolen funds were allegedly for a variety of personal expenses, including two cruises along with gambling trips to casinos in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

Kelly said that Ivan Jones is accused of operating a separate scheme – using the names and personal information of several existing public assistance recipients to open new cases and authorize payments to those individuals. Unbeknownst to those persons, EBT cards for those accounts were sent to various locations in Delaware County, including Jones’ personal address. Images from surveillance systems at various ATM machines and banks allegedly show Jones using EBT cards to withdraw funds from those accounts.

Additionally, the grand jury found that Jones made arrangements with at least two other public assistance recipients to increase the amount of their benefits or authorize new payments if those individuals agreed to split the proceeds with Jones.

Kelly said that between 2007 and 2011 Jones allegedly stole nearly $39,000 as the result of these schemes.

Kelly noted that the Attorney General’s investigation into the alleged misuse or theft of taxpayer funds is ongoing and additional arrests are anticipated.

Cynthia Lewis is charged with one count each of theft by unlawful taking, criminal use of a communication facility, and unlawful use of computer, all third-degree felonies which are each punishable by up to seven years in prison and $15,000 fines.

Ivan Jones is charged with five counts of theft by deception, five counts of criminal use of communication facility, five counts of unlawful use of a computer and two counts of criminal conspiracy, all third-degree felonies which are each punishable by up to seven years in prison and $15,000 fines.

The defendants were preliminarily arraigned on Tuesday, July 31st, before Darby Magisterial District Judge Leonard V. Tenaglia and released on their own recognizance.

Both defendants waived their preliminary hearings.

Formal arraignment for Lewis is scheduled for August 30th in Delaware County Court of Common Pleas.

Formal arraignment for Jones is scheduled for August 23rd, also in Delaware County Court of Common Pleas.

Lewis and Jones will be prosecuted in Delaware County by Senior Deputy Attorney General Marc Costanzo of the Attorney General’s Public Corruption Unit.

Kelly thanked the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare and Pennsylvania Office of the Inspector General for their cooperation and assistance with this continuing investigation.

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

bookmark_borderLocal Student Writers

Four high school student journalists will be honored when supporters of the award-winning, nonprofit education newspaper Philadelphia Public School Notebook gather for their annual end-of-school-year celebration “Turning the Page for Change.” Community leaders, District officials, educators, education advocates, parents, students and other members of the community will join the Notebook for an evening of food, entertainment by student musicians and caricaturists, and recognition of school newspaper staff.

This year, 11 schools entered their student news publications in the Notebook’s competition. The winners will win a cash prize and an E-tablet, courtesy of our student journalism award partners, AL DIA News and IKEA South Philadelphia. One of our winners is Northeast’s Trevor Wuest for outstanding multimedia piece: “What are the Benefits of Karate?”, Rush Reporting, Arts Academy at Benjamin Rush.