Nineteen individuals from western Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Ohio have been indicted by federal prosecutors for their involvement in a significant drug operation, as announced recently. The operation spanned across multiple states.
On August 1st, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of PA revealed a one-count indictment that charged all 19 individuals with conspiring to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute a substantial amount of drugs. The indictment claimed that the accused individuals were involved in the distribution of 400 grams or more of fentanyl, five kilograms or more of cocaine, 100 grams or more of heroin, and an unspecified amount of oxycodone between August 2023 to July 2024.
According to prosecutors, the drug operation was centered in Detroit, MI and New Castle, PA. The operation involved multiple runners who would travel between the two cities to purchase drugs. Additionally, drugs were sourced from various parts of the country and brought in for distribution.
In March 2024, the authorities initiated an investigation into the organization following the arrest of one of its members, Christian Frierson. The 33-year-old Detroit resident was caught driving back from California near Omaha, Nebraska with a safe that contained 1,000 grams of fentanyl and almost 250 grams of heroin.
Upon his release, prosecutors revealed that they had utilized various methods, including wiretaps, informants, and controlled purchases, to gather evidence against the organization. Through their investigation, they discovered that the group had recruited individuals from Detroit to oversee drug “trap houses” located in New Castle.
According to Kevin Rojek, the Special Agent in Charge at the FBI Pittsburgh, the joint operations involving multiple states and jurisdictions that were carried out recently demonstrate the FBI’s commitment to keeping harmful substances away from communities. He emphasized that law enforcement agencies are united in their efforts to combat crime and prevent the illegal trade of drugs and firearms. This sends a clear message to those who engage in these illegal activities that their actions will not be tolerated, and that the safety and well-being of neighborhoods will not be compromised.
Nineteen individuals are included in the list below:
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- Christian Frierson, 33, Detroit, MI
- Devail Adams, 54, Oak Park, MI
- Christopher Barton, 24, New Castle, PA
- Patrick Brown, 32, Detroit, MI
- Roy Brown, 55, Westland, MI
- Frank Christian, 51, Youngstown, OH
- Tyrone Davis, 35, Detroit, MI
- Edward Dietrich, 29, New Castle, PA
- Alexis Donnell, 55, New Castle, PA
- Dedric Higginbotham, 55, Detroit, MI
- Kiara Jones, 24, New Castle, PA
- Quinten Jones, 38, Detroit, MI
- Kenneth King, 37, New Castle, PA
- Jermain Lett, 52, Detroit, MI
- Marcus Mason, 32, New Castle, PA
- Daniel Rasnick, 27, New Castle, PA
- Kendra Sager, 32, New Castle, PA
- Jauan Searcy, 42, New Castle, PA
- George Wyatt, 62, New Castle, PA
If found guilty, the defendants could be sentenced to 10 years to life in prison, a maximum fine of $10 million, or both. The severity of the sentence will depend on the gravity of the offense committed by each individual and their criminal history, if any.
