A federal grand jury in Johnstown indicted 19 people from Indiana County and Philadelphia for participating in a drug trafficking ring that distributed cocaine, fentanyl, heroin and methamphetamine for nearly two years, U.S. Attorney Scott Brady said.
The suspects were arrested last week on three counts of violating federal narcotics laws, money laundering and unlawful possession of firearms.
“Methamphetamine. Heroin. Fentanyl. Crack cocaine. This group sold it all, but now they are in jail and out of business,” Brady said.” Effective operations like this require strong partnerships across federal, state and local levels.”
Among those indicted from Indiana are:
- Ellen Blystone, 43, of Marion Center
- Ahmed Doumbia, 26, of Indiana
- Adam Drylie, 26, of Shelocta
- Haylee Jackson, 26, of Creekside
- Joy McBride, 40, of Hyde
- Roger Miller, 33, of Homer City
- Michele Monfredi, 47, of Indiana
- Gregory Moore, 59, of Indiana
- Karl Pollard, 56, of Indiana
- Michael Schrecengost, 35, of Shelocta
- Taylor Shick, 30, of Marion Center
Those from Philadelphia include:
- Jelahn Williams, 25
- Malik Byers, 28
- Isaiah Daniels-Wheeler, 24
- James Edwards, 51
- Romello Johnson-Holland, 24
- Dayton Melton, 22
- Tamir Washington-Jenkins, 24
- Christofer Waters, 26.
The indictment charges the suspects with conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 500 grams of more of methamphetamine; 28 grams or more of crack cocaine and 40 grams of more of heroin and fentanyl between July 5, 2018, andMay 5.
If convicted, the statute calls for a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison.
Williams, Byers, Daniels-Wheeler, Doumbia, Edwards, Moore, Pollard, Washington-Jenkins, and Waters are also charged with conspiracy to commit money laundering. That statute calls for a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.
Williams, Doumbia and Edwards are also with possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Brady said that statute calls for a maximum sentence of life in prison.
According to a criminal complaint, investigators wiretapped phones used by members in the trafficking conspiracy. During the investigation, investigators intercepted communications between the defendants related to the alleged drug distribution scheme.
Brady said under the federal sentencing guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history of the defendants.
