AG Shapiro Shuts Down Central PA Meth Ring

11 people arrested, including ring leader Russell Kinslow

HARRISBURG–Attorney General Josh Shapiro charged eleven people for running significant quantities of crystal methamphetamine from the City of Reading to Snyder, Union, and Northumberland counties today, including the group’s ring leader who had expanded his criminal operation while in prison.

According to the 45th Statewide Investigating Grand Jury, Kinslow, 51, of Freeburg, Snyder County and currently an inmate at Northumberland County Prison, transported methamphetamine from 2017 until 2019 when he was arrested for selling the drug to confidential informants. While in prison, Kinslow continued his illegal activity by manufacturing fraudulent credit cards to obtain large cash advances at various Pennsylvania casinos.

“Addiction is a disease, but trafficking drugs and peddling poison in our community is crime we won’t let up on,” Shapiro said. “Today’s arrests show how our efforts haven’t let up during COVID-19. With the assistance of local and state authorities, we are helping Central Pennsylvania towns stay safe by locking up dangerous drug dealers.”

The Grand Jury learned that Kinslow wanted his accomplices to bring the fraudulent credit cards with them to the Hollywood (Grantville) and Mohegan Sun (Wilkes-Barre) casinos, obtain a large advance in “chips,” bet a small amount to avoid suspicion, and then “cash out” the remaining chips when leaving the casino. Kinslow wanted his accomplices to use the cash obtained to pay for an attorney and to post bond so he could get out of jail.

“These defendants’ brought pounds upon pounds of meth to Union, Snyder, and Northumberland counties,” the Attorney General said. “And thanks to targeted investigative work, we’ve shut this drug trafficking ring down.”

On his meth runs from Reading, Kinslow had several people, including codefendants Samala Wilson, Uriah Fausey, and Felicia Buck, drive him or accompany him to meet his suppliers at various locations around the Berks County city. In exchange for their help, Kinslow paid them with quantities of methamphetamine, such as eight balls (3.5 grams) or gram quantities of methamphetamine for their own use.

Kinslow is charged with multiple counts of Possession With the Intent to Deliver, Delivery of a Controlled Substance, one count of Criminal Conspiracy to commit Possession With Intent to Deliver, one count of Criminal Use of  Communication Facility, one count of Firearms not to be Carried Without  License, one count of Dealing in the Proceeds of Unlawful Activity, one count of Criminal Solicitation to commit Theft by Deception and one count of Criminal Solicitation to commit Unlawful Device Making Equipment.

Others Pennsylvanians charged today, include: 

• Monica Strocko, 40, Snyder County Prison – Delivery of a Controlled Substance, Possession with Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance, Criminal Conspiracy to commit Possession With the Intent to Deliver, Dealing in Proceeds of Unlawful Activities, Criminal Use of a Communication Facility
• Kristal Mondillo, 39, Easton – Delivery of a Controlled Substance, Possession with Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance, Criminal Conspiracy to commit Possession With the Intent to Deliver, Criminal Use of a Communication Facility
• Uriah Fausey, 28, Altoona – Delivery of a Controlled Substance, Possession with Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance, Criminal Conspiracy to commit Possession With the Intent to Deliver
• Samala Wilson, 40, Muncy State Prison – Delivery of a Controlled Substance, Possession with Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance, Criminal Conspiracy to commit Possession With the Intent to Deliver
• Jamie Ross Aughenbaugh, 32, Selinsgrove – Controlled Substance, Drug, Device & Cosmetic Act violations, Possession with Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance, Criminal Conspiracy to commit Possession With the Intent to Deliver, Delivery of a Controlled Substance
• Felicia Buck, 31, Beavertown – Delivery of a Controlled Substance, Possession with Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance, Criminal Conspiracy to commit Possession With the Intent to Deliver
• Renee Herbster, 33, Palmyra – Delivery of a Controlled Substance, Possession with Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance, Criminal Conspiracy to commit Possession With the Intent to Deliver
• Ronald Boney, 67, Mifflinburg – Delivery of a Controlled Substance, Possession with Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance, Criminal Conspiracy to commit Possession With the Intent to Deliver
• Jadrick Haines – Delivery of a Controlled Substance, Possession with Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance, Criminal Conspiracy to commit Possession With the Intent to Deliver
• Daniel Zeigler, 40, Cogan Station – Delivery of a Controlled Substance, Possession with Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance, Criminal Conspiracy to commit Possession With the Intent to Deliver

District Judge Lori Hackenberg, Middleburg, is processing the defendants. Senior Deputy Attorney General David Gorman is prosecuting the case. All charges discussed are accusations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

# # #