Eight people from northeastern Pennsylvania have been indicted by a federal grand jury on charges related to drug trafficking and firearms offenses, according to the United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania. The individuals charged are Marvin Rivera, also known as “Mace,” 26, of Allentown; Oliver Rivera, 31, of Drums; Mark Reynolds, 57, of Wilkes-Barre; Sherrielee Stout, 32, of Plymouth; Chandler George, 34, of Allentown; Angela Ruggiero, 42, of Hazleton; Joel Fernandez, 34, of Wilkes-Barre; and Eric Konnick, 41, of Edwardsville.
Acting United States Attorney John Gurganus stated that the indictment alleges these eight defendants conspired to distribute significant quantities of methamphetamine, fentanyl, cocaine, benzodiazepines and marijuana in Luzerne County and elsewhere between January and July 30 of this year. Specific allegations include multiple incidents where Marvin Rivera distributed or possessed with intent to distribute more than 50 grams of methamphetamine during this period. Between May 29 and July 20 this year, Rivera and six co-defendants allegedly used communication facilities to facilitate a drug trafficking conspiracy.
The indictment further claims that on July 30 Joel Fernandez and Marvin Rivera possessed with intent to distribute over 500 grams of methamphetamine mixture and over 400 grams containing fentanyl. On the same date Angela Ruggiero is alleged to have possessed more than 50 grams of methamphetamine mixture with intent to distribute. Eric Konnick is accused on July 30 of possessing over 50 grams of methamphetamine mixture and more than 40 grams containing fentanyl with intent to distribute. Additionally on July 30 both Fernandez and Rivera allegedly possessed firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
Agents from the Drug Enforcement Administration executed search warrants at several locations linked to these activities. According to authorities’ findings on July 30 agents seized approximately seventy-one pounds (about thirty-two kilograms) of suspected methamphetamine as well as more than two kilograms (over one million potential fatal doses) of suspected fentanyl. Other substances recovered included about two kilograms each of cocaine along with marijuana and benzodiazepines. Investigators also found multiple firearms drug packaging materials such as a kilogram press vacuum sealers plus over $160000 in cash. Authorities estimate the street value for these controlled substances at roughly $600000.
The investigation was carried out by the DEA working alongside Pennsylvania State Police and Wilkes-Barre Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys James M. Buchanan and Tatum Wilson are prosecuting the case.
“This case is part of Operation Take Back America,” said officials in their statement referring readers for additional details about the initiative (https://www.justice.gov/dag/media/1393746/dl?inline). The nationwide program brings together resources from across the Department Of Justice including its Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), aiming “to repel the invasion of illegal immigration achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs) and protect our communities from perpetrators of violent crime.”
If convicted under federal law those charged face maximum penalties including life imprisonment supervised release following incarceration and fines determined by sentencing guidelines applied by a judge after any finding or admission of guilt.
Authorities remind that indictments are only allegations: all individuals charged are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
