A multi-county fentanyl and cocaine trafficking network has been dismantled following a grand jury investigation and coordinated law enforcement arrests across Western Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday announced on Tuesday that 14 people had been charged in connection with a large-scale narcotics trafficking enterprise involving fentanyl, cocaine, and crack cocaine in Beaver, Allegheny, and Washington counties.
The inquiry, which began following a recommendation by the 51st Statewide Investigating Grand Jury, focused on 34-year-old Korrtezz Martin of Beaver County. Martin is accused of running the operation, which allegedly lasted from April 2023 to August 2024 and entailed the distribution of pressed fentanyl tablets and other narcotics via a network of so-called “runners.”
Martin is facing several felony accusations, including possession with intent to distribute, criminal conspiracy, corrupt organizations, and unlawful firearms possession. On Tuesday, authorities detained him and placed him in jail on a $500,000 bond.
Attorney General Sunday praised the Bureau of Narcotics Investigation and many law enforcement partners for their collaborative efforts that resulted in the arrests.
“Our Bureau of Narcotics Investigation worked diligently to identify the leader of this criminal enterprise and his conspirators, which resulted in charges that put a stop to this network of fentanyl dealers,” Attorney General Sunday said. “Drug traffickers push poisons into our communities without a care for the lives put at risk. My office will continue to vigorously prosecute traffickers who value dollars over human lives.”
Ten of the 14 defendants were taken into custody Tuesday during a coordinated operation involving Pennsylvania State Police, the DEA’s High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas program, the Beaver County District Attorney’s Office, and the Beaver County Drug Task Force.
Charges against the other defendants are:
- Edward Reynolds, 33, Dion Eberhardt, 35, Mara Hieber, 29, Michael Motton, 34, Daphne Scott, 51, Victoria Jones, 31, Chelsea Durr, 33, Breanna Lewandowski, 21, Tyler McQuaid, 36, Jack Balser, 31 and Katrina Balser, 35: Possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute and deliver, criminal conspiracy of possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute and deliver, criminal use of a communication facility, corrupt organizations and dealing in the proceeds of unlawful activity. Following their arrests, bail was set at $500,000 for Scott, $250,000 for Motton, $150,000 for McQuaid, $125,000 for Jack Balser, $100,000 for Katrina Balser, and $50,000 for Jones and Durr, respectively.
- Timothy Namath, 40: Possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver, criminal conspiracy of possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver, criminal use of a communication facility, corrupt organizations, dealing in the proceeds of unlawful activity, disorderly conduct and criminal mischief.
- Courtney Goode, 30: Corrupt organizations and dealing in the proceeds of unlawful activity. Goode is being held on $100,000 bail.
Kara Cotter, Senior Deputy Attorney General for the Drug Strike Force Section, is prosecuting the case. Criminal charges, and any debate surrounding them, are only allegations, and all defendants are deemed innocent unless proven guilty.
