CLEARFIELD – Eleven out of the 14 people who were allegedly linked with a “drive thru” drug operation that brought millions of dollars worth of cocaine, heroin and pre scri ption drugs into Clearfield County from locations in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Wilkes-Barre have waived all charges.
Attorney General Tom Corbett said the drug organization was reportedly headed by Michael Styers, who traveled and had others travel for him to acquire drugs for resale in Clearfield County, according to a press release issued by his office on Friday.
Styers’ operation started bringing large quantities of illegal drugs, which included more than 20 kilograms of cocaine, into the area in 2004. The operation reportedly resulted in drug profits that amounted to millions of dollars. He, too, reportedly earned more than a million dollars in profits.
On Friday, Corbett said the investigation – “Operation Drive Thru” – began in April 2006. At that time, he said the Lawrence Township Police Department responded to a burglary in which they encountered a vehicle parked along the road. He said Charles and Danielle Gearhart as well as Rick Wilkinson and his wife were allegedly in possession of about 200 grams of cocaine.
A statewide grand jury heard evidence and testimony regarding the reported criminal activity. They reported that Styers’ main source for cocaine was Maharaji “Bean” Hemingway in Philadelphia, as he supplied Styers with more than $1 million worth of cocaine.
Corbett said that Styers, or an associate, traveled to Philadelphia an estimated five to 10 times a month to purchase between four to 15 ounces of cocaine at a time from Hemingway, spending $12,000 to $16,000 per trip.
The grand jury also determined that Charles Gearhart, who was a major dealer for Styers, would often travel with Styers to acquire cocaine. He and Styers would frequently meet Hemingway near the Philadelphia Zoo to pick up nine ounces of cocaine at a time. They would pay $1,700 – $1,800 per ounce of cocaine. After returning to the area, the two sold the cocaine to local customers.
According to the grand jury, Styers was the “major importer of drugs” to the Clearfield area but was incarcerated at times for various parole violations. During those times, Charles Gearhart would head the cocaine operation. Styers had several regular customers who often times bought from Charles Gearhart if they couldn’t contact Styers.
According to the grand jury, Charles Gearhart and his wife, Danielle Gearhart ultimately started selling illegal drugs almost daily out of a “drive-thru” window in their mobile home. They reportedly had customers who drove up to a window of their home, where they would conduct their drug business.
At Friday’s press conference, Corbett said he had only seen one other instance, where a drive thru method was used to sell drugs.
According to the grand jury, Michael Gearhart was also reportedly one of the main cocaine distributors for Styers. He reportedly dealt large quantities of cocaine from a Clearfield motel room. He also allegedly purchased cocaine from Anthony Manchio in Wilkes-Barre in multiple ounce quantities for resale in the Clearfield area. Tammie Barney, who was Michael Gearhart’s girlfriend, often made the trips with him.
The grand jury also determined that Richard Smeal, Kenneth Smeal and Wilkinson often traveled to acquire drugs from an “unidentified source” in Pittsburgh for resale in Clearfield County.
According to the grand jury, some of the customers who purchased drugs from the organization often had other payment methods, such as sex, baby sitting services, guns, other drugs and credit card-funded shopping sprees.
Corbett said the investigation was ongoing at last week’s press conference.
Below is a complete list of the cases that have been sent to the Court of Common Pleas:
Michael Styers, 50, of SCI Mercer, is charged with 14 counts of manufacture/delivery/possession with intent to manufacture or deliver a controlled substance; and two counts each of criminal conspiracy, dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity, possession of firearm prohibited, criminal trespass and corrupt organizations. He also faces charges of criminal use of communication facility; burglary; theft by unlawful taking; receiving stolen property; criminal conspiracy; and criminal attempt.
His bail has been set at $500,000 monetary.
Charles Gearhart, 38, of the Clearfield County Jail, is charged with 14 counts of manufacture/delivery/possession with the intent to manufacture or deliver a controlled substance; two counts of corrupt organizations; criminal conspiracy; criminal use of communication facility; and dealing with proceeds of unlawful activity.
His bail has been set at $250,000 monetary.
-Michael Gearhart, 47, of the Clearfield County Jail, is charged with 18 counts of manufacture/delivery/possession with intent to manufacture or deliver a controlled substance; two counts of corrupt organizations; criminal conspiracy; criminal use of communication facility; and dealing with proceeds of unlawful activity.
His bail has been set at $250,000 monetary.
-Richard Smeal, 43, of SCI Mahanoy, is charged with nine counts of manufacture/delivery/possession with intent to manufacture or deliver a controlled substance; six counts of dealing in proceeds of unlawful activities; five counts of criminal conspiracy; two counts of corrupt organizations; criminal conspiracy and criminal use of communication facility.
His bail has been set at $250,000 monetary.
-Anthony Manchio, Jr., 49, of the Clearfield County Jail, is charged with five counts of manufacture/delivery/possession with intent to manufacture or deliver a controlled substance; criminal conspiracy; criminal use of communication facility; and dealing with proceeds of unlawful activity.
His bail has been set at $500,000 monetary.
-Rick Wilkinson, 45, of the Clearfield County Jail, Clearfield, is charged with six counts of manufacture/delivery/possession with intent to manufacture or deliver a controlled substance; two counts of corrupt organizations; criminal conspiracy; and dealing in proceeds of unlawful activities.
His bail has been set at $100,000 monetary.
-Michael Marshall, 32, of the Centre County Jail, is charged with four counts of manufacture/delivery/possession with intent to manufacture or deliver a controlled substance.
His bail has been set at $75,000 monetary.
-Jacob Pittman, 29, of SCI Rockview, is charged with seven counts of manufacture/delivery/possession with intent to manufacture or deliver a controlled substance; two counts of corrupt organizations; criminal conspiracy; criminal use of communication facility; and dealing in proceeds of unlawful activities.
His bail has been set at $250,000 monetary.
-Adam Caldwell, 21, of the Clearfield County Jail, is charged with two counts of manufacture/delivery/possession with intent to manufacture or deliver a controlled substance.
His bail has been set at $50,000 monetary.
-Matthew Olson, 27, of the Clearfield County Jail, is charged with six counts of manufacture/delivery/possession with intent to manufacture or deliver a controlled substance and criminal conspiracy.
Bail has been set at $100,000 monetary.
-Tammie Barney, 41, of Clearfield, is charged with one count of manufacture/delivery/possession with intent to manufacture or deliver a controlled substance.
Her bail, which was set at $25,000 monetary, has been posted.
Click here to read a previous report on the dismantling of the multi-million dollar drug ring
