CLEARFIELD – Fifteen people are facing charges for allegedly being involved with dealing drugs in Clearfield County, announced District Attorney William A. Shaw Jr. at a press conference on Tuesday afternoon at the Clearfield 911 Center.
During the early morning Tuesday, the Clearfield County Drug Task Force, in conjunction with the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General, initiated “Operation Leaf Rake” to serve arrest warrants on the 15 drug suspects.
Multiple investigations focused on street- to mid-level dealers accused of distributing heroin, cocaine, marijuana and prescription narcotics, according to a previously published press release from the AG’s office.
“Many of the suspects were selling the controlled substances on the streets, in parking lots, in local establishments and in apartments and homes throughout the county,” said Shaw.
Law enforcement officials used various tools, including surveillance techniques and undercover purchases, as they worked to file charges. A statewide investigating grand jury also heard testimony from agents and task force officers, as well as alleged users and distributors of illegal drugs in Clearfield County.
According to the AG’s Office, suspects, Zachary Quigley and Scott Haversack were charged as a result of a grand jury probe of the alleged distribution of heroin in Clearfield County. Agents reported they made undercover purchases of heroin from Quigley and Haversack.
Three other suspects, Chad Butler, Ashley Kirk and Matthew Smith, were charged after a separate grand jury investigation of the alleged distribution of crack cocaine. The grand jury heard testimony that indicated the crack cocaine was coming from New York to Clearfield County.
According to the AG’s Office, the grand jury investigation also resulted in the previous arrest of Luther Ware Jr. of New York, who was transporting large amounts of crack cocaine to Clearfield County for distribution to local dealers and alleged users, such as Butler, Kirk and Smith.
“[Ware] was an enormous case,” said Shaw. “And, there are going to be more just like that one in the future. There’s no sanctuary in Clearfield County for drug suppliers or dealers. If you’re selling or doing drugs, police know who you are, and they know what you’re doing. Your day is coming.”
In June, Ware was found guilty during a four-day jury trial in which the commonwealth’s case was presented by Senior Deputy Attorney General David Gorman. Recently, on Aug. 11, Clearfield County President Judge Fredric Ammerman sentenced Ware to 11 to 25 years in a state correctional facility.
Manuj McCoon of New York also was an integral part of Ware’s crack cocaine distribution organization, investigators said. McCoon was charged previously by agents from the Office of Attorney General and accepted a plea offer. He is scheduled to be sentenced next month before Ammerman.
Edward Allen, Lashanda Mount, Shaking Saunders and David Batista were also determined by investigators to be involved with Ware’s crack cocaine distribution organization. Allen, Mount and Saunders were all previously arrested in February of last year following a traffic stop by the Lawrence Township police.
Following the traffic stop, the Clearfield County Drug Task Force obtained a search warrant for bags in a vehicle that were owned by Allen and Saunders.
As a result of the search warrant, $7,150 and approximately 38 grams of crack cocaine were seized from a bag owned by Saunders. Additionally, a total of $604 was seized from Saunders’ person at the time of the arrest.
As a result of the traffic stop and execution of the search warrant, Allen, Saunders and Mount were charged with violations of the state’s Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act and related criminal offenses.
As a result of their pleas, Allen and Saunders were sentenced in Clearfield County Court to a minimum of 27 months and a maximum of seven years in a state correctional facility.
Mount, as a result of her plea, was sentenced in March to nine to 18 months in the Clearfield County Jail. Her jail term will be followed by two years of probation.
David Batista was also involved in the traffic stop with Allen, Mount and Saunders, and he was additionally part of Ware’s crack cocaine distribution organization. He was charged in January by the Clearfield County Drug Task Force.
At the time the charges were filed, Batista was incarcerated in a New York Correctional Facility on unrelated charges. Batista pleaded guilty and was sentenced in July by Clearfield County Judge Paul E. Cherry.
The following is a list of suspects charged today, their last known addresses and the charges they face:
- Zachary Quigley, 29, 618 Armor St., Clearfield, is charged with eight counts of possession with intent to deliver or delivery of a controlled substance, four counts of possession of a controlled substance, three counts of criminal use of a communication facility and one count of criminal conspiracy (heroin).
- Scott Haversack, 32, 1407 Lawrence Ave., Hyde, is charged with two counts of possession with intent to deliver or delivery of a controlled substance and one count each of criminal conspiracy, possession of a controlled substance and criminal use of a communication facility (heroin).
- James Drew, 39, 11956 177th Place, Jamaica, N.Y., is charged with two counts of possession with intent to deliver or delivery of a controlled substance and one count each of possession of a controlled substance and criminal use of a communication facility (cocaine).
- Jody Little, 52, 319 E. Market St., Clearfield, is charged with two counts of possession with intent to deliver or delivery of a controlled substance and one count of possession of a controlled substance (cocaine).
- Chad Butler, 32, State Correctional Institution at Houtzdale, is charged with two counts of possession with intent to deliver or delivery of a controlled substance and one count each of possession of a controlled substance and criminal use of a communication facility (cocaine).
- Ashley Kirk, 27, 212 E. Cherry St., Clearfield, is charged with six counts of possession with intent to deliver or delivery of a controlled substance and three counts each of possession of a controlled substance and criminal use of a communication facility (cocaine).
- Matthew Smith, 30, 110 S. Third St., Apt. 5, Clearfield, is charged with two counts of possession with intent to deliver or delivery of a controlled substance and one count each of criminal conspiracy and possession of a controlled substance (cocaine).
- Robert Rodriguez, 32, 317 Turnpike Ave., Apt. 3, Clearfield, is charged with four counts of possession with intent to deliver or delivery of a controlled substance and two counts each of possession of a controlled substance and criminal use of a communication facility (cocaine).
- Nichole Spratt, 27, 290 Nelson Rd., Clearfield, is charged with two counts of possession with intent to deliver or delivery of a controlled substance and one count each of possession of a controlled substance and criminal use of a communication facility (Subutex).
- Franklin Mooney III, 34, Jefferson County Prison, is charged with eight counts of possession with intent to deliver or delivery of a controlled substance and four counts each of possession of a controlled substance and criminal use of a communication facility (marijuana).
- Robert Lutz, 28, 88 Sipes Ln., Clearfield, is charged with two counts of possession with intent to deliver or delivery of a controlled substance and one count of conspiracy to deliver a controlled substance (purported cocaine).
- Steven Perschka, 29, 72 Trolley St., Winburne, is charged with one count of conspiracy to deliver a controlled substance (purported cocaine).
- Joni Shawley, 34, 261 Maple St., Ramey, is charged with one count each of possession with intent to deliver or delivery of a controlled substance and criminal use of a communication facility (Adderall/Hydrocodone).
- Derek Brothers, 23, 184 Penn St., Grampian, is charged with four counts of possession with intent to deliver or delivery of a controlled substance and two counts each of possession of a controlled substance and criminal use of a communication facility (marijuana).
- Gregory Gallaher, 57, P.O. Box 394, Coalport, is charged with six counts of possession with intent to deliver or delivery of a controlled substance, three counts of criminal use of a communication facility and one count of possession of a controlled substance (Percocet).
“There will be future arrests; this investigation doesn’t stop with these arrests today. This is only the first phase,” said Shaw. “We ask that the community be patient, as these types of investigations take time.”
Shaw noted these arrests, like those in the past, were the result of anonymous tips. He urged community members to continue to report specific information through Crimestoppers at 800-376-4700.
Anonymous tips may also be submitted through the District Attorney’s Web site, www.ClearfieldDa.org,” and selecting “Report A Crime.” He said that all tips are documented and investigated by local law enforcement.
Shaw thanked the Lawrence Township, Clearfield Borough, DuBois City, Sandy Township, Curwensville Borough, Morris-Cooper Regional and Decatur Township police, the Pennsylvania State Police, Pennsylvania State Probation and Parole, Clearfield County Probation Department, the Clearfield County Sheriff’s Department and the staff at the Clearfield County Jail for their assistance.
Shaw also thanked Attorney General Kathleen Kane and her staff members at the Bureau of Narcotics Investigations/State College Office, who are dedicated to fighting drugs. He said the AG’s resources and expertise is a valuable asset to that effort in Clearfield County.