3 Jeannette suspects accused in drug distribution network

Three Jeannette residents are being held in the Westmoreland County Prison without bail, with state agents accusing them of involvement in a local drug distribution network.

Nathan C. Woods, 34, Kathleen Marie Monahan, 30, and Brandon J. Brown, 29, are charged with corrupt organizations, drug possession, conspiracy and criminal use of a communication facility.

They were arrested Monday by agents from the state attorney general’s office and Jeannette police. Authorities said in court papers that the three suspects “operated as an enterprise to distribute narcotics throughout Westmoreland County.”

Police conducted a controlled cocaine purchase Monday from the trio. Brown and Woods were passengers in an SUV being driven by Monahan.

Investigators with a search warrant converged Monday afternoon on the South Sixth Street home where the suspects live. Woods and Brown left the home in the SUV as investigators were preparing to serve the warrant, and they were stopped and detained, according to court papers.

Inside the house, agents said Monahan was carrying a pink box and trying to flee. Authorities confiscated 109 stamp bags of suspected heroin and fentanyl, about 13 grams of crack cocaine, 15 grams of cocaine, marijuana, ammunition and other items associated with drug packaging, according to the complaint.

Authorities seized $471 from Brown that was used in the earlier controlled drug buy.

A neighbor who declined to identify herself said she has noticed Brown and Woods frequently coming and going over the past few months in different vehicles. The neighbor said at least once or twice a day, someone else would stop by the house.

She praised the police for their efforts.

“I think it’s amazing that the police caught on to something that quick in such a short period of time,” she said.

In denying bail for all three suspects, District Judge Wayne Gongaware ruled that they are a threat to the community, according to online court records. None had an attorney listed in online court records.

Preliminary hearings are set for Oct. 10.