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Friday, July 30, 2010
Ex-jail guard pleads guilty in coke ring
John Gonda is one of 23 members of a motorcycle club who have been charged in Operation Avalanche drug investigation.
By Sheena Delazio sdelazio@timesleader.com
Staff Writer
WILKES-BARRE – A former Luzerne County correctional officer pleaded guilty Thursday to his role in a $3.6 million cocaine distribution ring based in Ashley and run by members of a motorcycle club.
John “G Unit” Gonda, 38, of Fern Ridge Road, White Haven, pleaded guilty before Luzerne County Court President Judge Chester Muroski to charges of corrupt organizations, criminal conspiracy to deliver a controlled substance and delivery of a controlled substance.
Investigators said Gonda and 22 other members of the Outlaws Motorcycle Club were charged in the ongoing investigation, known as Operation Avalanche.
According to court records, the investigation began in July 2008 when agents with the Bureau of Narcotics Investigation unit received information that Gonda was selling large quantities of cocaine in the Wilkes-Barre area.
The Outlaws Motorcycle Club, based in a clubhouse at 115 N. Main St., Ashley, as well as Gonda’s residence and four other locations, were simultaneously raided by undercover agents on March 6.
Investigators said they made about 30 controlled cocaine purchases from Kevin Nowakowski and Outlaw members John “J Bone” Ricci and Ronald Molnar since July.
Thousands of calls were intercepted through court authorized wiretaps that led agents to identify Anthony Manchio, of Wapwallopen, as the Outlaws’ main cocaine supplier.
Ricci, 36, of Hanover Township, was scheduled to enter a guilty plea Thursday, but his attorney, John Donovan, told Muroski that he and Deputy Attorney General Tim Doherty need more time to discuss a possible plea agreement.
According to the arrest affidavit, investigators seized cocaine, marijuana seeds, drug paraphernalia, firearms and a passport from Gonda’s residence on March 6.
Gonda was suspended with pay after he was charged, according to Times Leader archives.
Muroski said it would be up to Doherty to schedule a sentencing date for Gonda, which could happen within six months of Thursday’s guilty plea.
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19 COMMENTS
J.B. said...
good now lets random drug test ALL guards and staff!
Sunny said...
Please do a follow-up on operation avalanche, I would like to know if all the criminals rounded up are still walking the streets today.
George of State Police said...
Now that the outlaws are gone the real gangsters from NYC will move in. Wilkes Barre will see a huge increase in rape and murder in the next 2 years while the gangs fight to take the outlaws place.
pringle hill said...
So what, Gonda is a member of the Luzerne County Judicial System, dealing with drugs should not be that big of a deal. After all you had judges dealing with children's lives. Slap Gonda on the wrist, re-instate him at the prison and let's get on with life.
mousey said...
Coke dealer suspended with pay? More Luzerne County BS.
YeahYeahYeah said...
Oh man...where's the Cheese?
Leader Fan said...
I wish the paper could keep us informed about all of the updates of these big busts throughout the valley. You could have a whole center fold call it the Year in Drug Busts - let us know that these scum bags are finally in prison.
Mona said...
Gonda's gonna sing like a bird, boys!
JO JO said...
Gonda already is singing like a bird. 90% of these people do after the get nailed. Trust me
Dupont Danny said...
Leader Fan has a great idea about updates. Maybe the TL could put out a Whose Who holiday edition (complete with photos) of all those convicted or under indictment. It would help us track these lowlifes.
John said...
This is crazy.People that rape your kids and shoot your family do less time.Come on .Its OVER. You did your job.
ernest said...
people who know this dirtbag were well aware of his antics...amazing it took this long.
Diane said...
Random testing on more than prison guards! Test all employees of the school district. Start with the teachers.
What's good for one said...
I think they need to take a closer look at many of the other prision guards. Not all but there are a few more boys in other cities doing the same thing. If you're going after one law breaking guard - you better go after all of them.
Marti said...
Right. White dude going by "G Unit". A regular wannabe wangster.
deployed said...
GEORGE IS RIGHT THE. the valley is going to get even worse now, with the gangsters tryen to move on turf
good job warden said...
I have heard nothing but good things about that prison since Warden Piazza took over. The hiring practices that Hyder had at the prison results in guys like Gonda.
a said...
I would rather have the outlaws mc or the mafia here selling drugs than the gangs from NYC and Philly... They kill each other for no reason.We need to keep this area semi safe at least.
DonnA said...
This is just another story and the cops make a mountain out of a mole hill. You cant always believe everything u read. Lets focus on real crime in our city.