33 Indicted on Federal Charges Related to Illegally Trafficking Heroin, Cocaine, Crack and/or Marijuana

PITTSBURGH, PA – A federal grand jury in Pittsburgh has issued three separate, but related, indictments, charging 33 residents of southwestern Pennsylvania with narcotics trafficking and firearm possession, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

The first Indictment, unsealed today, contains three conspiracy counts and names the following 25 individuals as defendants in one or more of the drug conspiracies:

• Howard McFadden, 29, of Turtle Creek, PA

• James Wells, 31, of Braddock, PA

• Donald Singleton, 47, of Pittsburgh, PA

• Richard Coto-Wheat, 26, of Duquesne, PA

• Jaymare Jackson, 29, of Braddock, PA

• Dorian Boyd, 24, of Braddock, PA

• Delbert Pate, 26, of Duquesne, PA

• Michael Rose, 27, of Pittsburgh, PA

• Reginald Brown, 29, of East Pittsburgh, PA

• Kreg Williams, 29, of Duquesne, PA

• Keenan Williams, 21, of Duquesne, PA

• Rand Wolford, 31, of Braddock, PA

• Marcel Sewell, 58, of Braddock, PA

• Talen Holmes, 21, of Pittsburgh, PA

• Rodney Dennard, 51, of Pittsburgh, PA

• Bernard Wilkins, 56, of Irwin, PA

• William Kalna, 50, of West Newton, PA

• Justin Law, 30, of Wilkinsburg, PA

• Tyrone Roilton, 28, of Braddock, PA

• Lisamarie Ross, 35, of New Alexandria, PA

• Travis Moore, 26, of Pittsburgh, PA

• Thomas Dwyer, 42, of Homestead, PA

• Gregory Luptak, 51, of North Huntington, PA

• Paula DeBaker, 55, of Braddock, PA

• Philip Matey, 53, of North Braddock, PA

According to this Indictment, the defendants conspired to possess with intent to distribute and distribute 100 grams or more of heroin, a Schedule I controlled substance; 500 grams or more of cocaine, a Schedule II controlled substance; and 280 grams or more of cocaine base, commonly known as crack, a Schedule II controlled substance, between August 2018 and May 2019. The Indictment seeks forfeiture of the following items: two (2) vehicles – a Jeep Grand Cherokee, associated with McFadden, and a GMC Sierra, associated with Singleton.

The Indictment further alleges that on April 15, 2019, Michael Rose possessed with intent to distribute heroin, a Schedule I controlled substance, as well as cocaine and crack, both Schedule II controlled substances. Rose, a convicted felon, who is prohibited from lawfully possessing a firearm, is also charged with possessing a firearm, and possessing the firearm in furtherance of the drug trafficking crime. As it relates to these counts, the Indictment seeks forfeiture of the following items: $892.00 and a Glock 19x pistol, bearing serial number BHWU068, associated with Michael Rose.

The second Indictment, unsealed today, contains two counts and names the following four individuals as defendants:

• Chadlin Leavy, 30, of Pittsburgh, PA (also charged in the third Indictment)

• Marvin Porter, 48, of Allison Park, PA

• Damien Franklin, 26, of Verona, PA

• Larry Dandridge, 24, of Monroeville, PA

According to this Indictment, the above-named defendants, and others conspired to possess with the intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin, a Schedule I controlled substance, and 500 grams or more of cocaine, a Schedule II controlled substance, between April and May of 2019. The Indictment seeks forfeiture of a Mercedes Benz S5A, associated with Leavy.

The third Indictment, also unsealed today, contains two counts and names the following five individuals as defendants:

• Eric Vanderslice, 39, of Phoenixville, PA

• Wayne Barker, 61, of West Mifflin, PA

• William Barker, 63, of Upper St. Clair, PA

• Jared Eck, 28, of Pittsburgh, PA

• Chadlin Leavy, 30, of Pittsburgh, PA (also charged in the second Indictment)

According to this Indictment, these defendants and others conspired to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute over 100 kilograms of marijuana, a Schedule I controlled substance, between April and May 2019. Additionally, on May 24, 2019, the Barkers and Vanderslice are alleged to have distributed and possessed with the intent to distribute over 100 kilograms of marijuana. The Indictment also seeks forfeiture of the following vehicles: a Dodge Ram 1500, associated with Vanderslice, a Ford F-150, associated with Eck, and a Jeep Wrangler, associated with Leavy. Additionally, the Indictment seeks forfeiture of a total of $518,476 in United States currency, which was seized by law enforcement from Vanderslice ($469,475.00), Wayne Barker ($5,012.00), Eck ($13,989) and Leavy ($30,000).

If convicted, the defendants would face the following penalties. As to the conspiracy counts involving 100 grams or more of heroin and 500 grams or more of cocaine, the law provides for a minimum sentence of at least 5 years in prison and a maximum sentence of 40 years in prisonand and a fine of not more than $5,000,000. As to the conspiracy count involving 280 grams or more of crack, the law provides for a minimum sentence of at least 10 years in prison and a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, and a fine of not more than $10,000,000. As to Michael Rose, the law provides for a minimum sentence of at least 5 years in prison and up to life in prison, and a fine of not more than $2,000,000. As to the conspiracy involving 100 kilograms or more of marijuana, the law provides for a minimum sentence of at least 5 years in prison and a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison imprisonment, a fine of not more than $5,000,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history of each defendant.

The Pittsburgh Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation led the multi-agency investigation of this case, which also included the Drug Enforcement Administration, Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives, United States Marshals Fugitive Task Force, Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office, Allegheny County Police Department, Pennsylvania State Police, Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General Bureau of Narcotics Investigations, and the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police. Other assisting agencies include the Allegheny County Adult Probation, Monroeville Police Department, Penn Hills Police Department, Shaler Township Police Department and Wilkinsburg Police Department.

The investigation was funded by the federal Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force Program (OCDETF). The OCDETF program supplies critical federal funding and coordination that allows federal and state agencies to work together to successfully identify, investigate, and prosecute major interstate and international drug trafficking organizations and other criminal enterprises.

Assistant United States Attorney Rebecca L. Silinski is prosecuting these cases on behalf of the government.

An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.