Federal, state authorities disrupt Pennsylvania to West Virginia heroin trafficking network

WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Multiple individuals were arrested today in connection with a multi-state heroin trafficking operation, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, and Marshall County Prosecuting Attorney Rhonda Wade announced.

Christopher T. Gyorko, 30, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is alleged to have orchestrated and managed a drug trafficking operation in which quantities of heroin were transported across state lines from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania into Ohio and Marshall Counties in West Virginia, as well as locations in the state of Ohio, for redistribution and sale. Gyorko has been named in an 18-count federal indictment, along with Jeff R. Andlinger, 34, of Benwood, West Virginia, John D. McKee, 30, Joseph P. McKee, 25, Doug Nolte, 35, and George L. LaShare, 34, all of Wheeling.

Additionally, George N. Sidiropolis, 35, of McMechen, West Virginia, was charged in a one-count federal Information with “Conspiracy to Distribute Heroin.” 
All six defendants named in the indictment are charged with “Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute and to Distribute Heroin.” They each face up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $1,000,000.

Andlinger is further charged with:
• Three counts of “Use of a Telephone to Facilitate the Distribution of Heroin.” He faces up to four years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 on each count,
• One count of “Aiding and Abetting the Distribution of Heroin Within 1,000 Feet of a Protected Location,” for which he faces between one and forty years in prison and a fine of up to $2,000,000,
• One count of “Distribution of Heroin Within 1,000 Feet of a Protected Location,” for which he faces between one and forty years in prison and a fine of up to $2,000,000, and
• One count of “Distribution of Heroin,” for which he faces up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $1,000,000.
Nolte is further charged with:
• Two counts of “Use of a Telephone to Facilitate the Distribution of Heroin.” He faces up to four years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 on each count,
• Two counts of “Distribution of Heroin Within 1,000 Feet of a Protected Location.” He faces between one and forty years in prison and a fine of up to $2,000,000 on each count, and
• One count of “Distribution of Heroin,” for which he faces up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $1,000,000.
LaShare is further charged with:
• Three counts of “Use of a Telephone to Facilitate the Distribution of Heroin.” He faces up to four years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 on each count,
• Two counts of “Aiding and Abetting the Distribution of Heroin Within 1,000 Feet of a Protected Location.” He faces between one and forty years in prison and a fine of up to $2,000,000 on each count, and
• One count of “Aiding and Abetting the Distribution of Heroin,” for which he faces up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $1,000,000.
McKee is further charged with:
• Two counts of “Aiding and Abetting the Distribution of Heroin Within 1,000 Feet of a Protected Location.” He faces between one and forty years in prison and a fine of up to $2,000,000 on each count, and
• One count of “Aiding and Abetting the Distribution of Heroin,” for which he faces up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $1,000,000.
The following individuals have been charged in state court in connection with the heroin trafficking operation:
• Jonathan M. Novick, 24, of Glendale, West Virginia faces one count of “Delivery of a Controlled Substance – Heroin,” and one count of “Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance,”
• William A. Novick, 33, of McMechen, West Virginia, faces one count of “Delivery of a Controlled Substance – Heroin,” and one count of “Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance,”
• Madelyn A. Dziorney, 21, of Moundsville, West Virginia, faces one count of “Delivery of a Controlled Substance – Heroin,”
• Rosa I. Ruskin, 21, of Moundsville, West Virginia, faces one count of “Delivery of a Controlled Substance – Heroin,”
• Steven E. Holmes, 25, of Cameron, West Virginia, faces three counts of “Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance,” and three counts of “Delivery of a Controlled Substance – Heroin,” and
• Terry P. Davis, 33, of McMechen, West Virginia was previously charged with one count of “Introduction of a Controlled Substance into a Regional Jail – Heroin,” and “Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Distribute – Heroin.”

Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen Vogrin is prosecuting the defendants charged in federal court. Marshall County Prosecuting Attorney Rhonda Wade is prosecuting the defendants charged in state court. The Marshall County Drug and Violent Crime Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, is leading the Investigation. The Task Force is comprised of officers and agents from the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office, Moundsville Police Department, the West Virginia State Police, and the Drug Enforcement Administration.

The federal and state charges announced today are merely accusations, and all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.