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HARRISBURG — Attorney General Josh Shapiro announced Thursday that he’s charged 36 more people in a $1 million heroin and crack cocaine ring that operated in Wilkes-Barre and Luzerne County over the past year.

Most of those charged are county residents.

Thursday’s arrests follow 14 in August as part of the same investigation.

Brian “Fox” Francis, 35, was identified as the “main dealer supplying heroin and crack cocaine,” said a press release from Shapiro’s office.

Francis was one of those arrested in August.

“Enlisting a ring of conspirators, Francis set up an extensive network operating out of motels and homes throughout Wilkes-Barre. The network of dealers used coded language to communicate, calling heroin ‘movies’ and crack cocaine ‘cookies’ or ‘candy,’” the release stated.

Here are the 22 alleged dealers facing felony charges that include participating in a corrupt organization and drug possession with intent to deliver:

• John Chopyak, 50, of Mill Street, Pittston

• Brian Costello, 41, of Northview Avenue, Harveys Lake

• Kendra Fuller, 33, Scott Street, Wilkes-Barre

• David Kusma, 47, West Sperling Street, West Wyoming

• Victoria Masi, 50, Meyers Street, Edwardsville

• Diana Mecadon, 47, Church Street, Pittston

• Luke Mikush, 32, Hanover Street, Wilkes-Barre

• Patrice Neville, 40, Scranton

• Lisa Nicholas, 56, Summit Street, Edwardsville

• Karen Novak, 56, East Columbus Avenue, Pittston

• James Osticco, 50, John Street, Pittston

• Brian Pillonato, 51, Linden Street, Scranton

• Bruce Pinkney, 49, Price Street, Kingston

• Charles Plummer, 70, Dougher Lane, Wilkes-Barre

• Robert Scorey, 52, North Hancock Street, Wilkes-Barre

• Jamie Skursky, 45, Bear Creek Road, Dupont

• Michelle Snyder, 40, Hughesville

• Eric Sommers, 26, North Market Street, Glen Lyon

• Shawn Soska, 33, Swallow Street, Pittston

• Arthur Thomas, 53, West Hollenback Avenue, Wilkes-Barre

• Frederick Thomason, 57, Scott Street, Wilkes-Barre

• Meiki Williams, 20, Old River Road, Wilkes-Barre

These 14 defendants are charged with drug possession and solicitation to deliver a controlled substance. The AG’s office says they will be prosecuted by the Luzerne County District Attorney.

• Sean Carrill, 26, Archbald

• Edward Casella, 36, Hurley Street, Wilkes-Barre

• John Cole, 33, North Pennsylvania Avenue, Wilkes-Barre

• Robert Godlewski, 45, Maxwell Street, Wilkes-Barre

• Derek Heater, 29, Dunmore

• Francis Kelly, 39, Scranton

• Nicole Kendreth, 33, Maxwell Street, Wilkes-Barre

• Ashley Myers, 22, Cemetery Road, Wapwallopen

• Bryan Oberdorf, 41, Wright Avenue, Kingston

• Kelly Rowan, 38, Liberty Street, Pittston

• Shawn Sakowski, 45, North Main Street, Mountain Top

• Joseph Sciandra, 49, Exeter Avenue, West Pittston

• Cynthia Tucker, 49, Birdsboro

• Jennifer Williams, 39, Campground Road, West Pittston

The Attorney General’s release credited the county DA’s office and county detectives in helping with the investigation, along with police in Plains Township, Wilkes-Barre, Scranton, Edwardsville, Kingston and Pittston.

Shapiro
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/web1_ShapiroMug-4.jpg.optimal.jpgShapiro

By Times Leader Staff