Six individuals from Elmira, New York, were charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute methamphetamine, fentanyl, and cocaine, according to a July 23 announcement by U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo. The defendants—Eric J. Barner (also known as E or Dree), Ashanique Graham (also known as Shorty), Geneno Mable, Matthew R. Swinko, Ryan Palmieri, and Dominic Murphy—face charges related to the possession and distribution of significant quantities of narcotics. Murphy is also charged with being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition, and possessing firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
The criminal complaint states that law enforcement began investigating the group’s activities in October 2025 as part of an ongoing narcotics trafficking investigation. The organization identified as the Barner Drug Trafficking Organization allegedly sold cocaine, methamphetamine, and fentanyl using cellular phones throughout the Elmira area. Authorities said multiple locations were used for storage and sale of drugs—including a former storefront on Lake Street and residences on Baldwin Avenue, Mulberry Street, Lackawanna Avenue, W. Thurston Street, and Harper Street.
During searches at these locations, investigators seized $152,080.57 in cash; approximately 69 grams of cocaine; three grams of crack cocaine; 646 grams of fentanyl; over 3 kilograms of methamphetamine; psilocybin; liquid methadone; MDMA; Clonazepam; 34 firearms including two ghost guns; two pipe bombs; and soft body armor.
This case is part of the Homeland Security Task Force initiative established by Executive Order 14159: Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The task force brings together multiple federal agencies such as Homeland Security Investigations, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives under interagency collaboration led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of New York.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert A. Marangola is prosecuting this case alongside law enforcement partners from Homeland Security Investigations under Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Anthony Patrone, the New York State Police under Major Kevin Sucher, and Elmira Police Department under Chief Kristen Thorne.
The U.S. Attorney for the Western District prosecutes federal criminal violations across 17 counties in western New York while engaging community groups through training forums to improve public safety—a role carried out by about 120 prosecutors and staff operating from offices in Buffalo at 138 Delaware Avenue and Rochester at 100 State Street, according to their official website.
Officials emphasized that “the fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.”