HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General’s Bureau of Narcotics Investigation (BNI) along with the Huntingdon County District Attorney’s Office filed charges against 29 suspected drug dealers as part of “Operation Spellbound,” an ongoing investigation into heroin trafficking across multiple Pennsylvania counties.
The nearly 30-person organization allegedly distributed more than 3,000 bags of heroin per week – approximately 156,000 per year – over the past three years with an estimated street value of more than $14 million.
“Today’s arrests are a starting point and not an end to this investigation or the pursuit to ensure that our neighborhoods are safe and drug-free,” Attorney General Kathleen G. Kane said. “Every drug arrest made is a victory for our communities.”
Evidence and testimony regarding the alleged heroin dealing was presented to a statewide investigating grand jury, which recommended the criminal charges that were filed against the 29-individuals.
The grand jury identified the ring leader of the organization as Curtis Koehler. Koehler, who is originally from Allentown, Lehigh County, allegedly moved to Huntingdon after the drug organization became established and profitable.
According to the grand jury, Koehler recruited the services of dozens of local individuals in order to transport heroin from Philadelphia and Lehigh counties for distribution in and around Huntingdon County.
The grand jury identified Koehler’s Philadelphia heroin sources as Evette Cepeda, Elsa Melendez, and John Cusick Jr., who were taken into custody with the help of local police in Lehigh County. Agents found that Koehler allegedly imported heroin from Philadelphia to Allentown, where other members of the organization would transport it to Huntingdon County for street-level distribution.
In addition to Koehler, 28 other individuals are charged with multiple drug counts for their participation in the wide-reaching organization.
As a result of the investigation, agents seized approximately 3,000 bags of heroin with an estimated street value of $90,000, approximately eight guns, and cash.
The Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General thanked the Huntingdon County District Attorney George Zanic’s Office, Huntingdon County local law enforcement, the Pennsylvania State Police, as well as law enforcement from Lehigh County – particularly the Allentown Police Department for their assistance with the investigation.
The case will be prosecuted in Huntingdon County by Deputy Attorney General David Gorman of the Attorney General’s Drug Strike Force Section as well as Huntingdon County District Attorney George Zanic.
Below is a complete list of the defendants and the charges against them.
–Curtis Koehler, 31, currently incarcerated in the Huntingdon County Prison, is charged with seven counts of possession with the intent to deliver heroin, two counts of corrupt organizations, one count of criminal conspiracy, one count of dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity, and one count of criminal use of a communication facility.
–Daniel Sheffield, 29, currently incarcerated in the Huntingdon County Prison, is charged with two counts of corrupt organizations, one count of possession with the intent to deliver heroin, one count of criminal conspiracy, one count of dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity, and one count of criminal use of a communication facility.
–Terrance Trice, 35, 1 W. Walnut St., Mount Union, Huntingdon County, and 11870 Station Rd., Huntingdon, Huntingdon County, is charged with three counts of possession with the intent to deliver heroin and cocaine, two counts of corrupt organizations, two counts of criminal use of a communication facility, one count of criminal conspiracy, one count of dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity, and one count of perjury.
–Desirae Mann, 22, 2503 Shadyside Ave., Huntingdon, Huntingdon County, is charged with two counts of corrupt organizations, one count of possession with the intent to deliver heroin, one count of criminal conspiracy, one count of dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity, and one count of criminal use of a communication facility.
–Dusten Holland, 25, currently incarcerated in the Huntingdon County Prison, is charged with three counts of possession with the intent to deliver heroin, two counts of corrupt organizations, one count of criminal conspiracy, one count of dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity, and one count of criminal use of a communication facility.
–Travis Park, 33, currently incarcerated in the Huntingdon County Prison, is charged with two counts of possession with the intent to deliver heroin, two counts of corrupt organizations, one count of criminal conspiracy, one count of dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity, and one count of criminal use of a communication facility.
–Elsa Melendez, 42, currently incarcerated in the Lehigh County Prison, is charged with four counts of possession with the intent to deliver heroin, two counts of corrupt organizations, one count of criminal conspiracy, one count of dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity, and one count of criminal use of a communication facility.
–Joseph Cusick Jr., 28, currently incarcerated in the Lehigh County Prison, is charged with four counts of possession with the intent to deliver heroin, two counts of corrupt organizations, one count of criminal use of a communication facility, one count of dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity, and one count of criminal use of a communication facility.
–William Spell, 27, currently incarcerated in the Centre County Prison, is charged with seven counts of possession with the intent to deliver heroin, two counts of criminal conspiracy, two counts of corrupt organizations, one count of dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity, and one count of criminal use of a communication facility.
–Kenneth Spell, 23, currently incarcerated in the Centre County Prison, is charged with seven counts of possession with the intent to deliver heroin, two counts of possession of heroin, two counts of corrupt organizations, one count of criminal conspiracy, one count of dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity, and one count of criminal use of a communication facility.
–Thomas Spell Jr., 30, currently incarcerated in the Centre County Prison, is charged with seven counts of possession with the intent to deliver heroin, two counts of possession of heroin, two counts of corrupt organizations, one count of dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity, and one count of criminal use of a communication facility.
–Philip Spell, 28, currently incarcerated in the Centre County Prison, is charged with three counts of possession with the intent to deliver heroin, two counts of corrupt organizations, one count of criminal conspiracy, one count of dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity, and one count of criminal use of a communication facility.
–Dennis Lane, 26, 607 13th St., Huntingdon, Huntingdon County, is charged with five counts of possession with the intent to deliver heroin and five counts of criminal use of a communication facility.
–Aaron O’Donnell, 22, currently incarcerated in the Cambria County Prison, is charged with four counts of possession with the intent to deliver heroin, four counts of corrupt organizations, two counts of criminal conspiracy, two counts of dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity, and two counts of criminal use of a communication facility.
–Amanda Black, 26, currently incarcerated in the Blair County Prison, is charged with two counts of possession with the intent to deliver heroin, two counts of corrupt organizations, one count of criminal conspiracy, one count of dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity, and one count of criminal use of a communication facility.
–Adam Fye, 24, currently incarcerated in the Huntingdon County Prison, is charged with three counts of possession with the intent to deliver heroin, two counts of corrupt organizations, one count of criminal conspiracy, one count of dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity, and one count of criminal use of a communication facility.
–Nathaniel Smith, 27, currently incarcerated in the State Correctional Institute at Huntingdon, is charged with two counts of possession with the intent to deliver heroin, two counts of corrupt organizations, one count of criminal conspiracy, one count of dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity, and one count of criminal use of a communication facility.
–Anthony Riskus, 21, 14024 Wrangletown Rd., Apt. D8, Mount Union, Huntingdon County, is charged with one count of possession with the intent to deliver heroin, one count of criminal conspiracy, and one count of criminal use of a communication facility.
–Jamie McCall, 32, 605 Seventh St., Huntingdon, Huntingdon County, is charged with three counts of possession with the intent to deliver heroin, two counts of corrupt organizations, one count of criminal conspiracy, and one count of dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity.
–Lucas Anders, 23, 525 Penn St., Apt. 7, Huntingdon, Huntingdon County, is charged with two counts of corrupt organizations, one count of possession with the intent to deliver heroin, one count of criminal conspiracy, one count of dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity, and one count of criminal use of a communication facility.
–Bryan Madden, 23, 203 Church St., Huntingdon, Huntingdon County, is charged with two counts of possession with the intent to deliver heroin, two counts of corrupt organizations, one count of criminal conspiracy, one count of dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity, one count of criminal use of a communication facility, and one count of perjury.
–Autumn Cramer, 22, 525 Penn St., Apt. 7, Huntingdon, Huntingdon County, is charged with one count of possession with the intent to deliver heroin and one count of criminal conspiracy.
–Chris Koehler, 29, 605 N. Seventh St., Huntingdon, Huntingdon County, is charged with three counts of possession with the intent to deliver heroin, two counts of corrupt organizations, one count of criminal conspiracy, and one count of dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity.
–Cierra Kocik, 20, 7430 Country Hills Dr., Huntingdon, Huntingdon County, is charged with one count of possession with the intent to deliver heroin and one count of criminal conspiracy.
–Evette Cepeda, 49, currently incarcerated in the State Correctional Institute at Muncy, is charged with two counts of possession with the intent to deliver heroin, two counts of corrupt organizations, one count of criminal conspiracy, one count of dealing in the proceeds of unlawful activity, and one count of criminal use of a communication facility.
–Megan Eriksen, 21, 8546 Stone Creek Ridge Rd., Huntingdon, Huntingdon County, is charged with three counts of possession with the intent to deliver heroin, two counts of corrupt organizations, one count of criminal conspiracy, one count of dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity, and one count of criminal use of a communication facility.
–William Frederick, 38, 355 Moore St., Apt. 2, Huntingdon, Huntingdon County, and 5111 Forge Lane, Alexandria, Huntingdon County, is charged with one count of possession with the intent to deliver heroin and one count of criminal conspiracy.
–Anthony Humphrey Jr., 27, 314 13th St., Huntingdon, Huntingdon County, is charged with two counts of possession with the intent to deliver heroin, two counts of corrupt organizations, one count of criminal conspiracy, one count of dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity, and one count of criminal use of a communication facility.
–Corey Knode, 29, 289 Standing Stone Ave., Huntingdon, Huntingdon County, is charged with two counts of corrupt organizations, one count of possession with the intent to deliver heroin, one count of criminal conspiracy, one count of dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity, and one count of criminal use of a communication facility.
