Attorney General Shapiro Announces Break Up of Multicounty Cocaine Trafficking Ring

HARRISBURG — Attorney General Josh Shapiro today announced the arrests of 19 individuals for operating a multicounty cocaine trafficking organization in Crawford and Erie counties. The arrests are the result of a long-term wiretap investigation that began in January 2018, during which time the organization sold a total of seven kilograms of cocaine, or half a kilogram per month.

The organization was led by defendant Tommy T. Howard, 46 of Erie, who would travel to Meadville three days a week to sell controlled substances, primarily cocaine. Howard was associated with and supplied cocaine from Rahman A. Hooks, 48, of Erie. The two conspired with the other defendants to distribute the cocaine through Crawford and Erie Counties.

“The people of Erie and Crawford counties have a right to feel safe in their neighborhoods and should know that my Office is focused on shutting down the flow of illegal drugs in our Commonwealth,” said Attorney General Josh Shapiro. “I’m grateful for the hard work of our agents and local police to make our communities safer, get these poisons off our streets, and hold those peddling these drugs accountable.”

Agents executed search warrants on two Crawford County locations and three Erie County locations, seizing several ounces of both cocaine and marijuana, as well as approximately $34,000 in U.S. currency. The investigation remains ongoing.

The defendants were arraigned before District Magisterial Judge Samuel Pendolino in Meadville. Those arrested are: Tommy T. Howard, 46, of Erie; Rahman A. Hooks, 48, of Erie; James Jenkins, 58, of Meadville; Troy Derrick Ogden, 52, of Meadville; Walter Jackson Jr., 66, of Meadville; Vernard Mayo, 52 of Quakertown; Rahim Ali Hooks, 23, of Erie; Barbara Burnett-Mainor, 69, of Erie; Tajh Rashaad Pacley, 29, of Erie; Kim Nicholson, 54, of Erie; Michelle McNally Harden, 49, of Erie; Ellis Herbert Munson, 46, of Meadville; David Paul Walton, 44, of Meadville; Tyrone Brown, 47, of Meadville; Cynthia Jean Walton, 50, of Meadville; James Monroe Jones, 47, Meadville; Albert Shontay Boyd, 44, of Erie; Kevin David Petrarca, 43, of Meadville; Jabril Ali Hooks, 21, of Erie.

This operation was a combined effort between the Office of Attorney General, City of Erie Bureau of Police, Meadville City Police Department, Millcreek Township Police Department, Edinboro Police Department, Cambridge Springs Police Department, West Mead Township Police Department, Erie County Detectives, Crawford County District Attorney’s Office, Erie County District Attorney’s Office and the U.S. Marshall’s Fugitive Task Force.

All defendants were charged with Corrupt Organizations, Criminal Conspiracy, Possession with the Intent to Deliver, Delivery, and Dealing in Proceeds of Unlawful Activity. Harden received additional charges of Obstruction of Law or other Governmental Function and Hindering Apprehension or Prosecution. The case is being prosecuted by Deputy Attorney General Roger M. Bauer.

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