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."

Three Arrested in Simultaneous Police Raids

Three people were arrested early this morning after Easton police conducted three simultaneous raids at locations in the city's West Ward and South Side neighborhoods.

Michael Ayala, 43, and Mikaela Ayala, 29, were arrested after a warranted search by a Pennsylvania State Police Special Response Team (SERT) at 20 North Ninth St. yielded crack cocaine, drug paraphernalia, and $2,900 in cash, a media release from the Easton Police Department said.

Michael Ayala faces charges of possession with intent to distribute cocaine and possession of drug paraphernalia, and is expected to be arraigned later today, police said.

Mikaela Ayala, who is Michael Ayala's daughter, has been charged with possession of drug paraphernalia. She was released and will be cited via summons, authorities said.

At 740 West Wilkes Barre St., Mark Parks Sr. was arrested and faces charges of possession with intent to distribute heroin and possession with intent to distribute marijuana. Police  report they seized approximately $10,000 worth of heroin, $3,000 worth of marijuana, and a scale at the residence. Parks is expected to be arraigned later today.

A warranted search was also conducted at a garage located at 228 North 14th St. and police were in the process over the course of Friday morning searching and seizing for forfeiture four vehicles and a motorcycle related to Parks' arrest, law enforcement authorities said.

Investigations leading to the raids were conducted by the Easton Police Department's vice/narcotics unit, the department said, adding that the cases were not connected and that no one was injured during the raids.

According to online county tax records, all three of the properties that were searched by police Friday morning are locally owned with all property owners listed as residing in Northampton County.

Updated at 12:31 p.m. to clarify the familial relationship of two of those charged.

Police Nab Robbery Suspects

Three suspects were arrested last night in connection with a robbery that took place at 13th and Northampton streets on Sunday evening, Easton police have announced.

A 27-year-old man was robbed of $480 cash and a cell phone at the Getty station location at approximately 6:40 p.m. on Sunday, authorities said, adding that the victim was punched and three suspects fled in a black Ford Focus with a "Hello Kitty" license plate on the vehicle's front end.

Police were on alert looking for the vehicle, a release from the Easton Police Department said, and later that night, at about 11:15 p.m., Detective Chris Miller, then off-duty, noticed the suspect vehicle and followed it into Wilson Borough, where he coordinated with Wilson Police to stop the car.

Wilson Borough police stopped the car and found the suspects inside in the 1900 block of Freemansburg Avenue, a media release states.

The three suspects, Justin Phipps of Easton, Kasim Ramsey and Anthony Moore, both of Brooklyn, NY, were all arrested at the scene.

Phipps has been charged with robbery, theft, receiving stolen property, and possession of a controlled substance, according to police.

Ramsey has been charged with robbery, theft, receiving stolen property, simple assault, and possession of a small amount of marijuana, they added.

Moore reportedly faces charges of robbery, theft, and receiving stolen property.

All three were committed to Northampton County Prison after being processed, Easton police said.

"This is an example of great police work by Wilson and Easton police!" concluded Easton Police Inspector Daniel Reagan in a media release.

Five Arrested in Four Simultaneous Drug Raids

Five people were arrested early Friday morning after police raided three locations around the City of Easton and one on the edge of Wilson Borough, the Easton Police Department reports.

The Easton Police Vice and Special Response units and the Pennsylvania State Police Special Emergency Response Team, along with the PSP Clandestine Laboratory Team, executed four narcotics search warrants at approximately 6 a.m. at a first-floor apartment at 1332 Lehigh St., a second-floor apartment at 1521 Liberty St., at 55 South Fifth St. Apt. 5, and at 520 Monroe St., authorities said in a media release.

Methamphetamine labs were discovered at the Lehigh Street and Monroe Street homes, and the Clandestine Laboratory Team took lab materials into custody due to hazards related to storing the ingredients and equipment, the EPD said.

A stolen motercycle was also discoved at the Monroe Street location, and the Lehigh Valley Auto Theft Task Force is assisting in the investigated regarding the vehicle.

Police said three people were arrested at the Lehigh Street address:

• Gary Everitt, 42, who lives at the apartment
• Danielle Everitt, 36, who also lives at the apartment
• Steven Kaiser, 45, who is reported as homeless

All three will face charges relating to possession and the manufacture of methamphetamine, police said. Additionally, Gary Everitt is expected to face charges related to the stolen motorcycle and stolen motorcycle parts.

Two people were also arrested at the South Fifth Street apartment, where two handguns were found, police report.

Steven Brown, no age given, and Connie Roskilly, 48, were both taken into custody and will face charges via a summons for possession of drug paraphernalia. 

The South Fifth Street residence was targeted by EPD detectives in the hopes of gaining evidence and/or information related to the shooting at South Seventh and Ferry streets that occurred on Thursday, July 25, police said, adding that the investigation into the handguns found and the shooting are ongoing. 

The Easton Police Special Response Unit executed the search warrants at the Lehigh Street and Liberty Street addresses, while the  Pennsylvania State Police team executed the search warrants at the South Fifth and Monroe Street locations.

The Wilson Police Department assisted with the 1521 Liberty St. search. Police did not say if evidence of any illegal activities was found at that location.

No one was reported to have been arrested at 520 Monroe Street. The property houses a small warehouse building.

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.

Suspects in Wilson Gas Station Armed Robbery Case Named



Dionte Powell



Tahir Sutton

Two juveniles from Phillipsburg, NJ, were the culprits in an armed robbery of the Wilson Borough Exxon Square One on Northampton Street earlier this year in which a female clerk was pistol whipped, authorities announced late this afternoon.

Wilson Police say Tahir Sutton, 17, of the 600 block of South Main Street in Phillipsburg, NJ, and Dionte Powell, 17, from the 200 block of Sitgreaves Street, also in  Phillipsburg, NJ, robbed the gas station convenience store at gunpoint at 3:30 a.m. on March 11, threatening to kill and tying up the two clerks working at the time.

Both will be charged as adults, police said.

Powell and Sutton are currently incarcerated in the Morris County New Jersey Juvenile Detention Center on unrelated charges and will be extradited to Pennsylvania as soon as possible, they added.

Police say Sutton and Powell entered the Square One Exxon that night wearing masks and gloves. Sutton allegedly jumped the counter and pointed a black handgun at the cashier and forced her open the cash register before tying her up.

Powell chased down the other store employee and struck her over the head with a black handgun, then tied her up, put a gun to the back of her head and threatened her life, police said.

They added Powell then put the gun to the back of the cashier's head and threatened her life as well.

Police charge that Powell and Sutton stole money and cigarettes valued in excess of $398.

One of the employees suffered minor injuries from the assault and was later treated at
an area hospital, authorities said.

The Wilson Police Department said Sutton and Powell are each being charged with robbery, conspiracy to commit robbery, possessing instruments of a crime, making terroristic threats, simple assault, recklessly endangering another person, theft, and receiving stolen property.

The Wilson Police were assisted by the Phillipsburg NJ Police Department, the Warren County Prosecutor’s Office, and the Pohatcong NJ Police Department.

Local police were able to identify Powell and Sutton by comparing clothing worn during the robbery to clothing and other evidence found during a search of Powell’s residence, the Wilson Police Detective Chris Meehan said.

Two Charged with Marijuana Possession After Morning Drug Raid

Two people were arrested and released during a drug raid this morning in Easton's West Ward, police report.

During a warranted search at 116 North 15th St., Apt. A, by the Easton Police Vice Unit, Special Response Unit, Wilson Police and the Northampton County Drug Task Force, Bernice Beasley, 47, and Angela Alvin, 34, were both charged and released after authorities say they were found to be in possession of a small amount of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

Both were processed and released, and will receive a summons.

Authorities say the raid was the result of a several months long investigation focused on crack cocaine sales in the Wilson Borough and City of Easton areas.

Police added in a media release that the invesigation is ongoing relating to other people at the residence that may possibly be involved in such illegal substance sales.

Two Men Charged in Palmer Jewelry Store Heist

Two men have been charged with a number of crimes in connection with a robbery that occurred at the Beverly Palm Jewelers store in the early morning hours of October 6, 2012, the Palmer Township Police Department announced today.

Ryan John Wiley, 23, of Doylestown, is charged with burglary, criminal trespass, theft by unlawful taking, possessing instruments of crime, criminal mischief, and criminal conspiracy.

Phillip Anthony Prokop, 38, of North Wales, is charged with criminal conspiracy to commit burglary, criminal trespass, theft by unlawful taking, possessing instruments of crime, criminal mischief, and receiving stolen property.

Police say Wiley acted as a customer the day before the heist, and returned with Prokop early the next day, smashing the jewelry cases and removing numerous items of jewelry. Wiley and Prokop allegedly planned the burglary together with Prokop being the driver.

Both were arraigned in Bucks County District Court before Judge Jean Seaman, who set bail at $500,000 for each of the men.

Both are currently incarcerated in Bucks County Prison for numerous similar jewelry store
burglaries in Bucks and Montgomery Counties, and the charges brought by the Palmer Township Police Department against Wiley and Prokop have been transferred to Bucks County, authorities added.

Investigation by Newtown Township Police Department and authorities in Bucks and Montgomery Counties, lead to the arrests, Palmer police said.