CLEARFIELD – On Tuesday jurors in the case against three men accused of operating a drug distribution organization heard testimony about the purchase of drugs in case.
Michael Styers, Charles Gearhart and Maharaji Hemingway are all facing charges in relation to a case dubbed by the Attorney General’s office as “Operation Drive Thru.” The three men are accused of operating a massive cocaine distribution organization in Clearfield County. According to a press release from the Attorney General’s office in 2008, 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.
While the first day got off to a slow start, day two saw a number of witnesses take the stand, some of whom testified as to cocaine trade in the case. One of those people, Richard Smeal, a co-defendant not on trial, said he purchased cocaine from both Gearhart and Styers. He said another man was initially his Clearfield source, but once that dried up, he hooked up with Styers. Smeal said he would buy from Styers. He said he would purchase a gram of cocaine from Styers for $90-100. Smeal said he would meet with him at Styers home.
“I bought some almost daily,” said Smeal. He talked about how he and others would pool their money together and buy anywhere from 1 gram to 7 or 8 grams.
Smeal testified that he purchased no less than 200 grams in total from Styers, “Probably more.” He said it wasn’t unusual to see people using and buying drugs at Styers’ garage. He said people trade items for drugs, and opiates for cocaine. He was asked who supplied Styers, and he said Styers told him Bean. He said he never saw Styers with more than 3-4 ounces, but he “Had stashed. He made that obvious.” Smeal provided an anecdote about being above the garage and there was a telescope up there witha blanket over it. He said he put his arm on it to lean on it, and a bag of cocaine fell out. He also talked about how he and another woman found 2 ounces of cocaine in the garage and they stole it from Styers.
He said he continued to buy from Styers until he brought in Gearhart to “watch the shop.” Smeal said he thought he would be the one who would get that job.
“I kind of got mad,” said Smeal.
Smeal said he began to cultivate new sources in New Kensington. He said at one point, Gearhart went with him three to five times. He said after Gearhart was pulled over with 7 ounces of cocaine in his vehicle and wasn’t arrested, he became suspicious of him.
“I was afraid he was trying to set me up,” said Smeal, who added that he cut ties with him.
After a brief stint in jail due to a parole violation, Smeal said his sources in New Kensington dried up. He said in Clearfield, Styers was in rehab and Gearhart was running things out of his trailer. Prior to cutting ties with him, he said he bought cocaine from Gearhart multiple times buy pulling up to the trailer and at times getting the drugs through a window, but never going inside. He said no one was allowed inside.
Smeal was also questioned about Bean, whom the commonwealth is alleging is Hemingway. He said he met Bean once in 2005, but didn’t know him. He said he came into contact with him again later on and traveled to Philadelphia to meet up with him. He said he was under the impression he was getting a few ounces, but wound up getting two 8 balls. He said they went back down and and got an ounce. He said that was the last time he spoke to Bean.
Like others in the trial, when asked to identify Bean in the courtroom, he pointed to Hemingway. Heminway’s attorney Lance Marshall asked him what Bean looked like years past. Smeal stated he could not. However, under redirect, Deputy AG Dave Gorman asked him if Bean had dreadlocks; Smeal said he did at times. Under recross, Marshall hammered on Smeal for his inability to remember what Bean looked like until being “prompted” by the commonwealth.
Smeal was asked whether he expected a deal from the commonwealth for his cooperation. He indicated he hoped so, since he was helping them.
His own case has yet to be settled.
The defense attorneys also insinuated that Smeal was a dealer. When confronted with this, he stated he didn’t deal, he used.
“Do you consider yourself a thief,” asked defense attorney Benjamin Vrobel. Smeal said no. Vrobel pointed out that Smeal had pleaded guilty to burglary in the past. Smeal said he was now reformed.
“Are you a liar,” asked Vroman.
“No,” answered Smeal.
“Did you plead guilty to false reports?”
“Yes, I did lie,” said Smeal. “I did it to keep myself out of jail.”
Check back with Gant throughout the day for more on the testimony from Day 2 of the Operation Drive Thru Trial