Armed Robbery Suspect, Four Other Easton Residents Named As Alleged Prescription Drug Ring Members

Nine Pennsylvania residents, including recently apprehended armed robbery suspect Kenneth Ennis and four other Easton residents, have been charged with various offenses related to their alleged participation in a prescription drug ring that operated throughout the Lehigh Valley.

An investigation into the alleged ring was launched after the state Attorney General's office received a complaint from a Northampton County doctor claiming that someone from his office had stolen prescription pads and was using them without authorization, according to a press release issued by state Attorney General Kathleen Kane.

Authorities say Alison Monfre, who worked at the Easton doctor's office, wrote multiple prescriptions for oxycodone and signed the doctor's name without his knowledge.

Monfre's boyfriend, Jamarcus Fennell, allegedly then sold the forged prescriptions to acquaintances and also occasionally sold pills from filled scripts on the street. Fennell was committed to Northampton County Prison last summer after being apprehended on four warrants for his arrest and failing to post bail on a wide array of charges, ranging from the delivery of heroin to theft and assault.

Law enforcement agents ran the doctor's DEA registration number and received a Schedule II Report for 2013, which revealed that a total of eight prescriptions were written for seven different people. None of the individuals listed in the report were patients of the doctor, the Attorney General's office said, adding that throughout the course of the investigation nine prescriptions were filled for 840 (15 mg) oxycodone tablets and 180 (30 mg) oxycodone tablets.

Those charged were:
 
Kenneth Ennis, 25, of the 200 block of West Nesquehoning Street, is charged with nine counts of acquisition of a controlled substance by misrepresentation, fraud, forgery, deception or subterfuge, nine counts of identity theft, one count of criminal conspiracy, one count of possession of a controlled substance and one count of corrupt organizations.

 
Jamarcus Fennell, 23, formerly of the 400 block of Church Street in Easton but currently incarcerated in the Northampton County Prison, is charged with of nine counts of acquisition of a controlled substance by misrepresentation, fraud, forgery, deception or subterfuge, nine counts of identity theft, five counts of receiving stolen property, one count of criminal conspiracy, one count of corrupt organizations and one count of possession of a controlled substance.

 
Carl Brown III, 23, of the 700 block of Davis Street, is charged with nine counts of acquisition of a controlled substance by misrepresentation, fraud, forgery, deception or subterfuge, nine counts of identity theft, one count of criminal conspiracy, one count of possession of a controlled substance and one count of corrupt organizations.
 
 
Shawn McAvoy, 19, of the 500 block of Valley Avenue, is charged with nine counts of acquisition of a controlled substance by misrepresentation, fraud, forgery, deception or subterfuge, nine counts of identity theft, one count of criminal conspiracy, one count of possession of a controlled substance and one count of corrupt organizations. 

 
Mercedes Werkheiser, 21, of the 100 block of North Seventh Street, is charged with nine counts of acquisition of a controlled substance by misrepresentation, fraud, forgery, deception or subterfuge, nine counts of identity theft, one count of criminal conspiracy, one count of possession of a controlled substance and one count of corrupt organizations.

Alison Monfre, 33, of the 100 block of Fell Street, Summit Hill, Carbon County, is charged with 13 counts of theft by unlawful taking, nine counts of acquisition of a controlled substance by misrepresentation, fraud, forgery, deception or subterfuge, nine counts of identity theft, one count of criminal conspiracy and one count of corrupt organizations.

  

Barbara Monfre, 61, of the 100 block of West Fell Street, Summit Hill, Carbon County, is charged with nine counts of identity theft, eight counts of acquisition of a controlled substance by misrepresentation, fraud, forgery, deception or subterfuge, one count of criminal conspiracy, one count of possession of a controlled substance and one count of corrupt organizations.


Terrisa Grube, 42, of Bethlehem, is charged with nine counts of acquisition of a controlled substance by misrepresentation, fraud, forgery, deception or subterfuge, nine counts of identity theft, one count of criminal conspiracy, one count of possession of a controlled substance and one count of corrupt organizations.
 
 
Lataryn Smith, 21, of Allentown,is charged with nine counts of acquisition of a controlled substance by misrepresentation, fraud, forgery, deception or subterfuge, nine counts of identity theft, one count of possession of a controlled substance and one count of corrupt organizations.




"In Pennsylvania, there is a direct link between prescription drug abuse and heroin use," Attorney General Kane said. "That is because prescription drug dependency is expensive to maintain, so abusers ultimately turn to heroin as a cheaper, purer, more available alternative."

Man Arrested During Raid Was Out on Bail

An Easton man who was arrested almost exactly one month ago during a police search of his residence and was out on bail was arrested again this morning and faces additional drug charges.

Easton police say Mark Parks Sr., 51, was arrested early this morning after heroin and cocaine were found during a warranted narcotics search of his home at 740 West Wilkes Barre St. Parks will be arraigned later today on charges of possession of heroin and cocaine and also faces charges of delivery of a controlled substance, they added.

On January 10, the same residence was raided by police, who reported they discovered approximately $10,000 worth of heroin, $3,000 worth of marijuana, and a scale at the residence. Parks was arrested and charged with  possession with intent to distribute heroin and possession with intent to distribute marijuana.

Police say their search is complete at the residence for now; however, they intend to obtain a  search warrant for a garage related to the investigation

Drugs, Cash and a Gun Seized in Ferry St. Raids

Simultaneous raids of residences just two doors apart in the 600 block of Ferry Street  resulted in the arrests of two men early this morning, Easton police report.

Arrested at 614 Ferry St. Apt. 2 during the 6 a.m. operation was Richard Wilkins, 30, who is facing charges of possession with intent to deliver marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. Police say they found and seized marijuana with an estimated street value of $1,900 and $200 cash.

At 618 Ferry St. Apt. 3, police say they found a 9mm automatic handgun with an obliterated serial number, crack cocaine, and approximately $2,000 in cash. Timothy Glasgow, 30, was arrested at the scene and faces felony charges of possession of a firearm with an altered manufacturer's number, possession with intent to deliver cocaine, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Also seized at the residence was a 2005 Dodge Durango that police say they plan to search and possibly seek for forfeiture.

Investigations leading to the raids were headed by the Easton Police Department Vice Unit, and police say they believe the suspects' activities are connected.

Easton police noted that a Pennsylvania State Police Special Emergency Response Team assisted in executing the searches.

Both 614 and 618 Ferry St. are owned and operated by real estate management firms, according to online county records.

Updated at 1:08 p.m.

Man Arrested as Police Raid Nets Heroin and Crack Cocaine

A warranted search of a home at 1227 Spruce St. in Easton's West Ward neighborhood  by city police early this morning led to the arrest of one man and the seizure of quantities of  heroin and crack cocaine, police report.

Jaronzia Fletcher, 39, was arrested at about 6 a.m. at the residence after police found about $2,500 worth of heroin and $100 of crack cocaine, authorities said.

Fletcher will face charges of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance for the heroin and possession of a controlled substance for the crack cocaine that was found, it was added.

Police said the search was the result of an investigation that was begun in September that focused on the sale of heroin in the neighborhood.

Three Simultaneous Early Morning Drug Raids Result in Arrests

Three men were arrested and illegal drugs were seized when police raided three West Ward Easton residences, authorities report.

According to a media release, at approximately 6 a.m., the Easton Police Vice Narcotics Unit, Special Response Unit and Pennsylvania State Police Special Emergency Response Team (SERT) executed three narcotics search warrants simultaneously at 1448 Elm St., 1418 Spruce St. and 1150 Washington St. Police say the warrants were the result of ongoing investigations into illegal drug activity over several months and that they had received complaints from  neighbors for some of the targets.

At 1448 Elm St., after a warrant was served by the Easton Police Special Response Unit, Michael Miller, 32, was arrested and will be charged with possession of methamphetamine, the EPD said.

James Pokajni Jr., 35, was arrested after the state police SERT searched the residence, and is expected to be charged with possession of drug paraphernalia relating to methamphetamine possession. Police said extra precautions were taken by officers at the house because they suspected there was a methamphetamine lab on the premises, but none was found.

At 1150 Washington St., James Duckworth, 38, was arrested after the state police SERT searched the residence. Police said the EPD Vice Unit already had a warrant for him relating to charges of delivering heroin, and that he also faces additional charges for possession with intent to deliver heroin, possession with intent to deliver psilocybin mushrooms, and the manufacture of psilocybin mushrooms.

Police added they found a mushroom grow at the residence, along with approximately $3,000 worth of the illegal fungi, $2,200 worth of heroin, and a .22 caliber handgun.

An aggressive pitbull that was also in the Washington Street residence charged at police, but officers were able to secure it in a cage, and no injuries to either the dog or the officers resulted, police reported.

Police said Pokojni and Miller will face charges via summons, and Duckworth will be arraigned later today.

According to online county public records, the residence at 1448 Elm St. is owned by Domenic Desei of Roseto, 1418 Spruce St. is owned by James Pokajni Sr. of Easton, and 1150 Washington St. is owned by Samantha Davis, listed as living at the same address.

Updated at 1:13 p.m. to add property owners' information.

Two Arrested in Easton Drug Raid Tuesday Morning

Two West Ward Easton residents were arrested and charged with illegal drug offenses after Easton Police raided the residence early this morning.

Police say Esteban Candelario, 20, was arrested and charged with possession of heroin with intent to deliver, after they executed a search warrant at a residence in the first block of South 14th Street at about 6 a.m.. He is expected to be arraigned later today.

Lillian Werkheiser, no age given, was arrested and charged with possession of a small amount of marijuana, police reported. She has been processed and released, and will receive a summons by mail to answer to the charge, authorities added.

The Easton Police Department said the investigation was prompted by neighbor complaints regarding a high level of drug activity in the area.   Nobody was injured during the  search, which was carried out by the Easton Police Vice Narcotics Unit and Special Response Unit.

NJ Undercover Operation Results in Drug Charges for Easton Man

Jermaine Grant
Photo courtesy of the
Hunterdon County
Prosecutor's Office

An Easton man is one of 47 people charged with possession of heroin or intent to distribute the illegal drug, Hunterdon County New Jersey Prosecutor Anthony P. Kearns III announced today.

Jermaine Grant, 26, of Easton, faces unspecified charges as part of a 10-month long police operation that aimed to disrupt heroin trafficking in Hunterdon County, NJ, the prosecutor's office reported.

"Operation Day Tripper" targeted heroin traffickers and consumers who allegedly traveled regularly, some daily, to and from "source" cities, including Newark and Trenton, NJ, as well as Easton, for their illegal drugs, the prosecutor's office said.

A media release announcing the busts did not name the specific charges Grant faces.

Kearns also said that Hunterdon County is a gateway for drug distribution in New Jersey, due to Interstate 78 running through it, and the area has also seen a "dramatic spike" in gang activity.

“We aren’t going to sugarcoat this. This county has drug dealers, drug addicts, and street gangs, and they are affecting the quality of life here,” Kearns added in the release.

Palmer Heroin Raid Leads to Arrests

Palmer police report they, along with members of the Easton Police Department and the Northampton County Drug Task Force, executed a search warrant at a home located at 98  Jonathan Drive in the township at about 6 a.m. this morning, simultaneously with a related search in the City of Easton.

The raid was the result of an ongoing investigation into an alleged heroin distribution ring that authorities believed was operating at the house, and a search of the residence recovered undisclosed amounts of heroin and cash, as well as "numerous items of drug paraphernalia", according to a media release issued by Palmer police.

All three residents of the home were taken into custody at the scene and detained, authorities report, but their names were not released, with police citing a still-ongoing investigation.

Possible charges that may be filed against them are yet to be determined, said Palmer Detective James Alercia.

The Easton Police Emergency Response Team, Forks Township Police Department, and Suburban Emergency Medical Services Regional Tactical Team also assisted at the scene, police said.

Updated at 3:43 p.m.

Four Suspected Gang Members Arrested in Raid - Heroin, Cash, Gun Seized

Four people were arrested in a raid in Easton's West Ward early Friday morning that police say netted approximately $1,700 worth of heroin, $6,382 in cash, .38 caliber handgun with the serial number obliterated, and Bloods gang paraphernalia.

At approximately 6 a.m., the Easton Police Vice/Narcotics Unit executed a search warrant at 213 North 8th St., where they found Anthony Thomas, 24, Andry Deloach, 22, Nicholas Alleyne, 22, and Danny Manning, 25, inside attempting to hide from police, according to a media release.

The raid was the result of an ongoing investigation into an alleged heroin distribution ring in the West Ward area of the city, police said, adding that all four suspects are originally from the Plainfield, NJ area and are suspected Bloods gang members.

Police report all four were arrested and are expected to be arraigned later today on the following charges:

• possession with intent to distribute heroin
• manufacturing of heroin
• criminal conspiracy
• possession of drug parahernalia.

Thomas will additionally be charged with being a former felon not to permitted to possess a handgun and possession of a handgun with an obliterated manufacturer’s serial number, Easton police said, adding that the department also had a prior arrest warrant for delivery of heroin for Thomas and that he is a "confirmed" Bloods gang member.

The residence on North 8th Street is listed as being owned by Magaly Ugarte, of the same address, according to online county property records.

All four suspects were arraigned early Friday afternoon in front of Senior District Magistrate James Stocklas and committed to Northampton County prison after failing to post bail, set at a straight $35,000 for three of the defendents, and at a straight $85,000 for Thomas due to the weapons charges.

In conjunction with this morning's raid, the EPD Special Response Unit also assisted the Northampton County Drug Task Force in executing a narcotics search warrant at 98 Jonathan Drive in Palmer Township, which was served simultaneously, the media release said.
Updated at 2:32 p.m. to add arraignment and bail amount details, and again at 3:45 p.m. to add a link to the details of the second raid in Palmer.

Police Find, Raid Another Meth Lab

Another local area suspected methamphetamine lab was raided and shut down today, Easton Police report.

Two adults were detained after police executed a search warrant at 1415 Pine St. at about 2:12 p.m. today. The Easton Police Vice/Narcotics Unit and Pennsylvania State Police SERT and Clandestine Laboratory Team were involved in the operation, authorities said.

Arrested was Michael Williams, 52, who lived at the raided address and will face charges of manufacturing methampthetamine and possibly other related offenses, police said.

The other person who was initially detained was released without charge, police said.

Police say methamphetamine cooking materials were located in the residence, and that their presence indicates the illegal drug was being produced there.

The potentially hazardous materials were removed safely from the dwelling by the PSP Clandestine Lab Team and will be held as evidence, police said.

The investigation and associated raid today is related to the one that happened last week, on Jan. 11 at 120 North 15th St., authorities confirmed.

Updated at 4:52 p.m. to include mention of the release of the other person that was initially detained.