Press Release
Philadelphia To Morgantown Drug Pipeline Disrupted By Federal Indictment
For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Northern District of West Virginia
1125 Chapline Street, Federal Building, Suite 3000 ● Wheeling, WV 26003
(304) 234-0100 ● Contact: Tara Tighe, Public Affairs Specialist
MORGANTOWN, WEST VIRGINIA – Twenty-one people involved in a Philadelphia to Morgantown heroin and painkiller distribution ring have been indicted on federal charges, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, West Virginia State Police Colonel Jay Smithers, and FBI Assistant Special Agent in Charge Raymond P. Duda, announced today.
Earlier this month, a federal grand jury returned a 65-count indictment charging the defendants in a scheme to bring large quantities of heroin and prescription opioids from Philadelphia to Morgantown for redistribution. This morning, the indictment was unsealed and 13 of those charged were taken into custody as part of a large arrest operation in West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and elsewhere.
The underlying investigation involved the use of sophisticated surveillance techniques, and was spearheaded by the West Virginia State Police - Bureau of Criminal Investigation. The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Mon Valley Drug and Violent Crime Task Force were also heavily involved in the case.
Those arrested today include:
• Juwan Robert Woods, also known as “Whiz,” 31, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,
• Qaaim Clark, also known as, “Q,” 34, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,
• Keevus Weeks, also known as “Shake,” 31, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,
• William Montague, III, also known as “Will,” 24, of Darby, Pennsylvania,
• Kalif Briggs, also known as “Boo,” 32, of Upper Darby, Pennsylvania,
• Loren Delaney, also known as “Lo,” 23, of Morgantown, West Virginia,
• Keyara Peters, also known as “KP,” 21, of Riversville, West Virginia,
• Britany Wodzinski, 24, of Buckhannon, West Virginia,
• Ryan Buckland, 28, of Morgantown, West Virginia,
• Jessie Marie Fox, 22, of Mill Creek, West Virginia,
• Robert Wyatt Michael, 24, of Fairmont, West Virginia,
• Tara Dustin, 23, of Morgantown, West Virginia, and
• Timothy Charles Burnette, 45, of Morgantown, West Virginia.
Several individuals have not yet been located, including:
• Raheem Cuffee, also known as “Heem,” 30, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
• Brett Ehrhardt, 28, of Morgantown, West Virginia,
• Alexander Benzel, 28, of Morgantown, West Virginia,
• Terri Shuttlesworth, 24,
• Erik Jones, 27, of Morgantown, West Virginia,
• Alicia Tavagilone, 21, of Morgantown, West Virginia,
• Ryan Brooks, 28, of Morgantown, West Virginia, and
• An unidentified individual known only as “Shadow.”
Anyone with information on whereabouts of the aforementioned individuals are encouraged to contact the West Virginia State Police at (304)-285-3200, the FBI at (412) 432-4000, or the U.S Marshals Service at (304) 623-0486.
An indictment is an accusation, and all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Zelda Wesley is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government.
Updated January 7, 2015
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