March 18, 2009

Attorney General Corbett announces break-up of $3.6 million Wilkes-Barre cocaine ring; "Outlaws" motorcycle gang targeted

WILKES-BARRE-A $3.6 million cocaine ring, which operated in northeast Pennsylvania over the past year by members of the Outlaws Motorcycle Club, was broken up today by agents from the Attorney General's Bureau of Narcotics Investigation (BNI).

Attorney General Tom Corbett said the investigation, known as "Operation Avalanche," began in July 2008 after agents received information that John Gonda, a corrections officer at the Luzerne County Correctional Facility, was selling large quantities of cocaine in the Wilkes-Barre area.

According to the criminal complaint, agents made a series of at least 30 controlled cocaine purchases from Ronald Molnar and his main associates, John Ricci and Kevin Nowakowski.

Corbett noted that Gonda, Molnar and Ricci are all associates of the Outlaws Motorcycle Club, Wilkes-Barre Chapter.

As the investigation unfolded, court authorized wiretaps were approved to determine the scope of the organization and help identify suppliers.

Hundreds of drug related conversations were intercepted on wiretaps between Molnar, Ricci and their customers, which led agents to identify Molnar's main cocaine supplier as Anthony Manchio.  Manchio is a known cocaine dealer in northeastern and central Pennsylvania.

According to the criminal complaint, Molnar or Ricci called Manchio every 10 to 14 days to order a kilo of cocaine for redistribution in Wilkes-Barre.  The two had numerous customers who called regularly to place orders and make arrangements to meet at specific Wilkes-Barre locations for delivery.

"Anytime you have a kilo of cocaine being brought into your town every 10 days you have a significant problem," Corbett said. "The cocaine coming to Wilkes-Barre was either cut and repackaged for street-level sales or it was kept for individual use among club members."

The charges state that Manchio normally met Molnar a couple days prior to delivery in order to receive payment up front for the cocaine. The two allegedly would arrange another meeting and contact point for the delivery to take place.

Corbett said that as the investigation progressed agents identified Joseph Janick as a major sub-dealer of cocaine for Molnar and Ricci. Janick is the president of the Outlaws Motorcycle Club, Wilkes-Barre chapter.

According to the criminal complaint, wiretaps placed on Janick's cellular phone produced thousands of drug related conversations showing that he, Molnar and Ricci had a widespread customer base throughout Luzerne County.

Agents identified four of their main customers as members of the Wilkes-Barre chapter of the Outlaws Motorcycle Club, including Michael Bafile, the club's past president.

Over the course of the investigation, agents seized 528 grams of cocaine, cutting agents, drug paraphernalia, more than $5,000 cash, rifles, shotguns, handguns, a bullet proof vest, the motorcycle gang's colors, a copy of the bylaws and a list of all the Outlaw associates in prison.

"Drug trafficking and violence are synonymous," Corbett said. "The large amount of weapons seized in this investigation demonstrates the violent capabilities this organization possessed."  

Agents also seized motorcycles, SUV's, sedans, a quad and a piece of farm machinery.

Corbett noted that this is part of a continuing investigation.

Nineteen of the defendants will be prosecuted in Luzerne County by Deputy Attorney General Timothy Doherty of the Attorney General's Drug Strike Force Section. Three individuals will be prosecuted by Luzerne County District Attorney Jackie Musto Carrol's Office.

Corbett thanked the Luzerne County District Attorney's Office, Luzerne County Drug Task Force, and the Luzerne County Sheriff's Office for their assistance with the investigation.

The defendants will be arraigned before Magisterial District Judge Diane Malast.

 A complete list of the defendants and the charges against them is below.

• Ronald "Block" Molnar, 37, 9 Joseph Lane, Wilkes-Barre, is charged with nine counts of delivery of cocaine, one count of corrupt organizations, one count of conspiracy to deliver cocaine, one count of possession with the intent to deliver cocaine and one count of criminal use of a communications facility.
• John "J Bone" Ricci, 36, 52 Diamond Ave., Hanover Township, is charged with nine counts of delivery of cocaine, one count of corrupt organizations, one count of conspiracy to deliver cocaine, one count of possession with the intent to deliver cocaine, one count of delivery of marijuana, and one count of criminal use of a communication facility.
• John "G Unit" Gonda, 38, 224 Fern Ridge Road, White Haven, is charged with one count of corrupt organizations, one count of conspiracy to deliver cocaine, one count of possession with the intent to deliver cocaine, one count delivery of cocaine, one count delivery of marijuana and one count of criminal use of a communications facility.
• Anthony Manchio Jr., 49, 212 Farmhouse Lane, Wapwallopen, is charged with one count of corrupt organizations, one count of conspiracy to deliver cocaine, one count of possession with the intent to deliver cocaine, one count delivery of cocaine and one count of criminal use of a communications facility.
• Michelle Ulitchney, 47, 212 Farmhouse Lane, Wapwallopen, is charged with one count of corrupt organizations, one count of conspiracy to deliver cocaine, one count of possession with the intent to deliver cocaine, one count delivery of cocaine and one count of criminal use of a communications facility.
• Joseph "Skidmark" Janick, 44, 115 N. Main St., Ashley, is charged with one count corrupt organizations, one count conspiracy to deliver cocaine, one count of possession with the intent to deliver cocaine, one count delivery of cocaine, one count criminal use of a communications facility and one count prohibited offensive weapon.
• Patrick Brown III, 39, 39 Fern St., Dallas, is charged with one count corrupt organizations, one count conspiracy to deliver cocaine, one count of possession with the intent to deliver cocaine, one count of delivery of cocaine and one count of criminal use of a communications facility.
• Lazaro Salavarria, 43, 200 Park View Circle, Apt. 4101, Wilkes-Barre, is charged with one count of corrupt organizations, one count of conspiracy to deliver cocaine, one count of possession with the intent to deliver cocaine, one count delivery of cocaine and one count of criminal use of a communications facility.
• Michael Brostoski, 46, 39 Nicole Drive, Wilkes-Barre, is charged with one count of corrupt organizations, one count of conspiracy to deliver cocaine, one count of possession with the intent to deliver cocaine, one count delivery of cocaine and one count of criminal use of a communications facility.
• Kevin "K Dog" Nowakowski, 33, last known address 65 Fort St., Forty-Fort, is charged with three counts of delivery of cocaine, one count of corrupt organizations, one count of conspiracy to deliver cocaine, one count of possession with the intent to deliver cocaine, and one count of criminal use of a communications facility.
• Francis Buracewski, 37, 2 Mill St., Wilkes-Barre, is charged with one count of corrupt organizations, one count of conspiracy to deliver cocaine, one count of possession with the intent to deliver cocaine, one count delivery of cocaine and one count of criminal use of a communications facility.
• Michael Scavone, 43, 246A Lake Drive, Harveys Lake, is charged with one count of corrupt organizations, one count of conspiracy to deliver cocaine, one count of possession with the intent to deliver cocaine, one count delivery of cocaine and one count of criminal use of a communications facility.
• Larry "Doctor" Gwynn, 54, 14 Allenberry Drive, Hanover Township, is charged with one count of corrupt organizations, one count of conspiracy to deliver cocaine, one count of possession with the intent to deliver cocaine, one count delivery of cocaine and one count of criminal use of a communications facility.
• Michelle Adams, 41, 12 Beech Lane, Harveys Lake, is charged with one count of corrupt organizations, one count of conspiracy to deliver cocaine, one count of possession with the intent to deliver cocaine, one count delivery of cocaine and one count of criminal use of a communications facility.
• Kenneth Koonrad, 25, 79 Grove St., Wilkes-Barre, is charged with one count ofcorrupt organizations, one count of conspiracy to deliver cocaine, one count of possession with the intent to deliver cocaine, one count delivery of cocaine and one count of criminal use of a communications facility.
• Melissa "Missy" McEvoy, 34, 115 North Main St., Ashley, is charged with one count of corrupt organizations, one count of conspiracy to deliver cocaine, one count of possession with the intent to deliver cocaine, one count delivery of cocaine and one count of criminal use of a communications facility.
• John Macking, 37, 9 Everhart St., Hanover Township, is charged with one count of corrupt organizations, one count of conspiracy to deliver cocaine, one count of possession with the intent to deliver cocaine, one count delivery of cocaine and one count of criminal use of a communications facility.
• Michael "Kick Start" Bafile, 38, 719 Sycamore St., Berwick, is charged with one count of corrupt organizations, one count of conspiracy to deliver cocaine, one count of possession with the intent to deliver cocaine, one count delivery of cocaine and one count of criminal use of a communications facility.
• Paul Czerniakowski, 44, 223 Brown St., Wilkes-Barre, is charged with one count of corrupt organizations, one count of conspiracy to deliver cocaine, one count of possession with the intent to deliver cocaine, one count delivery of cocaine and one count of criminal use of a communications facility.

The following individuals will be prosecuted by the Luzerne County District Attorney's Office:

• Mitch "Buddah" Miller, 48, 15 Bank St., Wilkes-Barre, is charged with one count of criminal solicitation to deliver cocaine, one count of possession of cocaine and one count of criminal use of a communications facility.
• Robert Muntz, 42, 195 West Green St., Nanticoke, is charged with one count of delivery of methamphetamine, one count of manufacturing of methamphetamine and one count of criminal use of a communications facility.
• Paul "Stepchild" Iorio, 44, last known address 343 E. Ridge St., Nanticoke, is charged with one count of solicitation to deliver cocaine, one count of possession of cocaine and one count of criminal use of a communications facility.

(A person charged with a crime is presumed innocent until proven guilty.)

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