Click here to subscribe today or Login.
Saturday, July 25, 1998 Page: 7A
Avoca barkeeper indicted in drug case
The action against
Thomas P. Lavelle Jr. is part of an ongoing probe,
authorities saySCRANTON- A federal grand jury on Thursday indicted an Avoca
tavern owner accused of dealing cocaine out of his establishment.
The case against Thomas P. Lavelle Jr. of Moosic is part of a continuing
investigation of a cocaine-dealing operation in the Old Forge area, said
Assistant U.S. Attorney John Gurganus.
Lavelle, owner of Lavelle’s Pub on Main Street, was arraigned Friday on
charges of conspiring to distribute more than 500 grams of cocaine,
distribution of cocaine on numerous occasions and making his building
available for the use and sale of cocaine.
The alleged drug sales occurred between summer 1996 and Jan. 24, 1998, the
indictment states. An affidavit was not available and Gurganus said he could
not elaborate on the case.
U.S. Magistrate Thomas Blewitt ordered Lavelle released on $25,000
unsecured bond at Friday’s hearing.
The grand jury also charged that Lavelle’s property at 815-817 Main St.
should be forfeited. That includes all property of the tavern, including its
liquor license, the indictment states.
It will be up to a trial jury and judge to determine the final status of
forfeiture, Gurganus said.
Lavelle could not be reached for comment Friday.
He is the 20th person arrested as a result of the two-year probe by state
and federal investigators, which has centered on alleged cocaine dealing by
numerous