HARRISBURG – A $2 million drug enterprise allegedly run throughout Clinton, Centre and Lycoming counties was broken-up today by state narcotics agents from the Attorney General’s Office.
Attorney General Tom Corbett said the investigation centered on the drug trafficking activities of Gregory “Val” Johnson, 35, Plainfield, NJ.
Evidence and testimony regarding the case was presented to a statewide investigating grand jury, which recommended the criminal charges being filed.
Agents estimate that Johnson’s organization was responsible for distributing approximately $2 million worth of cocaine in the Clinton, Lycoming and Centre county areas.
According to the grand jury, local associates distributed cocaine for Johnson at two bars known as “The Cross Roads,” located at the intersection of Rt. 144 & 879, Moshannon and “Two Tuesdays,” 2309 Island Road, Lock Haven.
Corbett said that a significant amount of drug transactions were conducted inside of Two Tuesdays. Local dealers and users regularly obtained cocaine from the bar’s owner, Linda Phillips, allegedly bought and shared cocaine in a separate room in the bar know as the “party room.”
Cocaine sold at the Two Tuesday’s bar allegedly ranged in price from $50 to $500 and customers often used a phone located in the party room to contact Johnson to order additional cocaine quantities.
Corbett said that Phillips was in constant contact with Johnson and delivered additional cocaine supplies of cocaine to her customers at the bar.
The grand jury found that Johnson’s cousin, William Reid, was one of his main distributors, and sold cocaine at area bars, including Two Tuesday’s. Reid sold eight balls (3.5 grams) of cocaine for $200 to $280 and often sold as much as 250 grams of cocaine with an estimated street value of $10,000 per week.
According to the grand jury, Johnson broke the cocaine down into smaller quantities and gave it to Mandy Maggs and others for local delivery and resale. Maggs allegedly resold the cocaine in $50, $100, and $200 quantities.
“Distributing cocaine was part of these drug dealers’ daily lives,” Corbett said. “For a time they were able to create a lucrative business, but like all illegal enterprises, their fortune was short-lived.”
Corbett thanked the Lock Haven Police Department and the Pine Creek Township Police Department for their assistance with the investigation.
The case will be prosecuted in Clinton County by Senior Deputy Attorney General David Gorman of the Attorney General’s Drug Strike Force.
A complete list of the defendants and the charges against them is below.
–Gregory “Val” Johnson, 35, Plainfield, NJ, is charged with four counts of possession with the intent to deliver cocaine and one count of criminal conspiracy.
–William “Little Man” Reid, 24, currently incarcerated in the Clinton County Correctional Facility, is charged with two counts of possession with the intent to deliver cocaine and one count of criminal conspiracy.
–David Degrasse, 38, Allport, is charged with three counts of possession with the intent to deliver cocaine and one count of criminal conspiracy.
–Carrie Darwin, 30, Lock Haven, is charged with two counts of possession with the intent to deliver cocaine and one count of criminal conspiracy.
–Amanda Maggs, 30, Lock Haven, is charged with three counts of possession with the intent to deliver cocaine and one count of criminal conspiracy.
–Arlene Loschh, 45, Howard, is charged with one count of criminal conspiracy.
–Linda Phillips, 52, Lock Haven, is charged with three counts of possession with the intent to deliver cocaine and one count of criminal conspiracy.
