Multiple Defendants Indicted on Federal Racketeering, Narcotics, and Firearm Charges

ERIE, Pa. - Fifty-eight defendants have been charged with violating federal racketeering, narcotics, and firearm laws, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.

The 30-count Indictment, returned on May 30, 2023, and unsealed today, charged the first 22 listed defendants with conspiring to participate in a criminal enterprise as members and associates of an Erie, Pennsylvania neighborhood street gang known as "4-Nation" under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO). The Indictment named the following individuals as having conspired to participate in this criminal organization:

Davante Qualee Jones, 29
Dajean Dupree Williams, 28
Javar Beason, Jr., 26
Darian Allen Beasley, 31
John Ferrell Cooley, Jr., 27
Von Darnell McCallum, Jr., 26
Jaquon Lashawn Manning, 22
Marius Lavon Russell, 31
Jermaine Antwon Phillips, Jr., 27
Rayshawn Markel Woodard, 23
Michael Jarod Manning, 32
Dajour Raekwon Woodard, 24
Chikuyo Asania Bayete, 25
Raheem Tyre Farmer, 28
Kalen Allen Gambill, 36
Damon Deandre Grady, 25
Eric Martin Jells, Jr., 25
Levanta Davon Keim, 25
Tayvon Marquise Lindsey, 27
Dorrell Antwun McLaurin, 24
Tymeir Mekhi Sadique Oglesby, 24
Lamont Devail Warren, Jr., 25

According to information presented in the Indictment, these individuals engaged in organized criminal activity as part of their membership and association with the 4-Nation gang which included drug distribution and acts of violence within the Western District of Pennsylvania and elsewhere. According to the Indictment, one of the principal activities of the gang involves the sale and distribution of marijuana, prescription hydrocodone, cocaine, cocaine base, heroin, methamphetamine, fentanyl powder, and fentanyl pills within the gang's geographic territory. 4-Nation members would obtain drugs from sources of supply primarily in California, Arizona, and Mexico and disseminate these drugs for redistribution by other gang members and associates. 4-Nation gang members possessed firearms and guarded their territory to prevent encroachment by rival gang members or drug dealers through assaults and shootings. The Indictment details more than 150,000 fentanyl pills, over 100 pounds of methamphetamine, and multiple kilograms of fentanyl and fentanyl analogue powder trafficked by the gang into Erie, Pennsylvania.

The RICO conspiracy statute carries a maximum penalty of up to life imprisonment and a fine of not more than $250,000.

The Indictment named all 58 charged individuals at Count Two as part of an overlapping drug distribution conspiracy including:

Antwon Donnell Arrington, 48
Jamonte Capriese Hollingsworth, 34
Stewart Lee Phillips, 46
Tyler Quinn Magee, 30
Chikuyo Isani Bayete, 28
Dajuwon Brown Faulkner, 20
Demari Naquan Euell, 24
Cordell Jamal Gregory, 30
Jadarious Devon Samuel Lofton, 22
Shikeal Marquese Page, 29
Antoun Depree Moore, Jr., 25
Stephen William Carter, 31
Rhashan Dunston, 28
Dazerion Jaquial Hinton, 24
Devon Devontae Blue, 21
Javarie Barnett, 24
Damond Wilson Carr, 31
Saint Martin Ellman, 26
William Todd Stephens, 32
Wessam Ali Abood, 30
Alexis Marie Althof, 28
Samantha Lynn Ermekeil, 26
David Leroy Hall, 47
Travis Blake Longley, 29
Tasha Nicole Pacley, 34
Anthony James Stufflebeam, 36
Kevin John Berdis, 28
Mackenzie Alaska Fike-Bliscik, 24
Joseph Michael Lazar, 59
Bethany Nicole Mallette, 27
Immanuel Rashad Smith, 28
Jaelyn Rachelle Kuczynski, 33
Gary A. Warren, III, 32
Henry Daniel Barker, 34
Jamond Carnell McDonald, 20
Dazjona Marique Goodwine, 31

According to the Indictment, these individuals conspired to distribute and possess with intent to distribute Schedule I and Schedule II controlled substances, including large quantities of fentanyl, a fentanyl analogue, methamphetamine, cocaine, and cocaine base, from at least August 2023 through the date of the Indictment, in the Western District of Pennsylvania and elsewhere. The statute calls for a maximum sentence of up to life imprisonment.

Dajour Woodard is charged at Count Three with attempted possession with intent to distribute four hundred (400) grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl on or about August 9, 2021. The statute calls for a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years of incarceration.

Damond Carr is charged at Count Four with possession with intent to distribute forty (40) grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl and at Count Five with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, both occurring on or about October 15, 2021. The statute at Count Four calls for a mandatory minimum sentence of five years incarceration. The statute at Count Five calls for a maximum sentence of twenty years of incarceration.

Jaquon Manning and Michael Manning are charged at Count Six with possession with intent to distribute one hundred (100) grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl analogue, five hundred (500) grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine, and forty (40) grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl on or about February 11, 2022. The statute calls for a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years of incarceration.

Dajean Williams is charged at Count Seven with possession with intent to distribute four hundred (400) grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl, one hundred (100) grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl analogue, and a quantity of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine, and at Count Eight with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, both occurring on or about April 20, 2022. The statute at Count Seven calls for a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years of incarceration. The statute at Count Eight calls for a maximum sentence of twenty years of incarceration.

Javar Beason, Jr. is charged at Count Nine with interstate and foreign travel in aid of business enterprise involving narcotics or controlled substances from on or about June 26, 2022 and continuing to on or about June 28, 2022. The statute calls for a maximum sentence of five years of incarceration.

Jamonte Hollingsworth is charged at Count Ten with possession with intent to distribute and distribution of forty (40) grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl on or about September 6, 2022. The statute calls for a mandatory minimum sentence of five years of incarceration.

Kalen Gambill is charged at Count Eleven with possession with intent to distribute and distribution of fifty (50) grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine on or about September 7, 2022. The statute calls for a mandatory minimum sentence of five years of incarceration.

Javar Beason, Jr. is charged at Count Twelve with conducting a monetary transaction, affecting interstate commerce, in criminally derived property with a value greater than $10,000, which property was derived from specified unlawful activity on or about October 12, 2022. The statute calls for a maximum sentence of ten years of incarceration.

Tasha Pacley is charged at Count Thirteen with possession of firearms by a convicted felon on or about October 13, 2022. The statute calls for a maximum sentence of ten years of incarceration.

Javar Beason, Jr, Antwon Arrington, Jadarius Lofton, and Mackenzie Fike-Bliscik are charged at Count Fifteen with possession with intent to distribute and distribution of forty (40) grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl on or about November 29, 2022. The statute calls for a mandatory minimum sentence of five years of incarceration.

Antwon Arrington is charged at Count Sixteen with maintaining a drug-involved premise from no later than in and around December 2022 through on or about January 14, 2022. The statute at Count Sixteen calls for a maximum sentence of twenty years of incarceration.

Antwon Arrington is also charged at Count Seventeen with possession with intent to distribute four hundred (400) grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl, five hundred (500) grams or more of a mixture containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine, and five hundred (500) grams or more of a mixture containing a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine, and at Count Eighteen with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, both occurring on or about January 14, 2023. The statute at Count Seventeen calls for a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years of incarceration. The statute at Count Eighteen calls for a maximum sentence of ten years of incarceration.

Javar Beason, Jr. is charged at Count Nineteen with possession with intent to distribute five hundred (500) grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine, at Count Twenty with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and at Count Twenty-One with using and carrying a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, all occurring on or about January 14, 2023. The statute at Count Nineteen calls for a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years of incarceration. The statute at Count Twenty calls for a maximum sentence of ten years of incarceration. The statute at Count Twenty-One calls for a mandatory consecutive sentence of five years of incarceration.

Darian Beasley is charged at Count Twenty-Two with possession with intent to distribute five hundred (500) grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine and a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine base in the form commonly known as crack, and at Count Twenty-Three with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, both occurring on or about January 14, 2023. The statute at Count Twenty-Two calls for a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years of incarceration. The statute at Count Twenty-Three calls for a maximum sentence of ten years of incarceration.

Jaquon Manning is charged at Count Twenty-Four with possession with intent to distribute four hundred (400) grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl on or about January 31, 2023. The statute calls for a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years of incarceration.

Jaquon Manning and Joseph Lazar are charged at Count Twenty-Five with possession with intent to distribute and distribution of fifty (50) grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine on or about February 2, 2023. The statute calls for a mandatory minimum sentence of five years of incarceration.

Jaquon Manning, Dajuwan Faulkner, and Samantha Ermekeil are charged at Count Twenty-Six with possession with intent to distribute and distribution of fifty (50) grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine on or about February 22, 2023. The statute calls for a mandatory minimum sentence of five years of incarceration.

Jaquon Manning, Jaelyn Kuczynski, and Gary Warren are charged at Count Twenty-Seven with possession with intent to distribute and distribution of fifty (50) grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine on or about March 2, 2023. The statute calls for a mandatory minimum sentence of five years of incarceration.

Jaquon Manning and Henry Barker are charged at Count Twenty-Eight with possession with intent to distribute and distribution of fifty (50) grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine on or about March 10, 2023. The statute calls for a mandatory minimum sentence of five years of incarceration.

John Cooley, Jr. and Dazjona Goodwine are charged at Count Twenty-Nine with attempted possession with intent to distribute four hundred (400) grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl on or about March 13, 2023. The statute calls for a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years of incarceration.

Stewart Phillips is charged at Count Thirty with possession with intent to distribute forty (40) grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl on or about March 15, 2023. The statute calls for a mandatory minimum sentence of five years of incarceration.

"We are committed to disrupting the violence and destruction that gangs such as these inflict upon our communities," said Acting U. S. Attorney Troy S. Rivetti. "The unified efforts of each of the agencies involved in this investigation is to be commended. This work and the continued efforts of the EAGLE Safe Streets Task Force is dedicated to restoring Erie residents' rights to feel safe in their own neighborhoods.

"This gang brought violence and despair to our neighborhoods and pedaled drugs onto the streets, exploiting the young and vulnerable," said FBI Pittsburgh Special Agent in Charge Mike Nordwall. "This investigation was a collaborative effort led by the FBI's EAGLE Safe Streets Task Force and the community will see the impact immediately. I commend the work done by the investigative team and restate the commitment of the FBI and our partners to aggressively pursue those that bring harm to our communities."

"Today's announcement deals a major blow to a drug trafficking gang whose activities have inflicted irreparable harm and pain throughout our communities," said William S. Walker, Special Agent in Charge of HSI Philadelphia. "Results like these are only achieved through partnerships and information sharing. There is no doubt that the Erie and its surrounding areas are safer today due to the outstanding teamwork of the dedicated law enforcement professionals who investigated and prosecuted this case. HSI will continue to prioritize investigations that prevent illicit and highly addictive opioids from being distributed in our neighborhoods."

"The Pennsylvania State Police is proud of the hard work by our investigators that has resulted in getting dangerous narcotics and drug dealers off our streets. We're thankful for the cooperation with our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners, and our communities are much safer for it."

"Today, the Erie Police and its many local, state and federal partners continue working together on removing violent criminals and drug dealers," said Daniel P. Spizarny, Sr., Chief of Police, City of Erie Police Department. "We are committed to making Erie a safer community with welcoming and vibrant

Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Paul S. Sellers is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

This prosecution is a result of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles high-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten communities throughout the United States. OCDETF uses a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Erie Resident Agency Erie Area Gang Law Enforcement (EAGLE) Safe Streets Task Force, which is comprised of investigators from the FBI, United States Customs and Border Patrol, Erie Police Department, Pennsylvania State Police, Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General, Millcreek Police Department, Oil City Police Department, Franklin Police Department, and Erie School District Police Department, conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment in this case in coordination with the Department of Homeland Security - Homeland Security Investigations; Internal Revenue Service; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco Firearms and Explosives; Pennsylvania State Police Vice and Drug Law Units; Erie County Detectives; and Erie County District Attorney's Office.

The investigation was also conducted in association with the Northwest Pennsylvania Drug Initiative which was formed following Erie County's designation as a High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) in 2021. The HIDTA program was created by Congress in 1988 to coordinate and assist Federal, State, and Local law enforcement agencies in addressing regional drug threats with the purpose of reducing drug trafficking and drug production in the United States. The Northwest Pennsylvania Drug Initiative coordinates personnel and resources between multiple agencies including the Pennsylvania State Police, Federal Burau of Investigation, Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, Erie Police Department, Erie County District Attorney's Office, Erie County Detectives, United States Postal Inspection Service, the EAGLE Task Force, and other participating agencies.

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

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