Camden Man Admits Role In Drug Trafficking Organization

CAMDEN, N.J. – A Camden man today admitted his role in a drug trafficking organization that distributed crack cocaine and fentanyl, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.

Davon Leak, 20, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Renée Marie Bumb in Camden federal court to a superseding information charging him with one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 28 grams or more of cocaine base.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

Leak admitted that he sold crack cocaine and fentanyl, a synthetic opioid, around the 1700 block of Filmore Street in Camden. Leak also admitted that he prepared and packaged drugs for sale. Ten members of the drug ring were initially arrested in June 2017 following a long-term investigation by the FBI, which utilized telephone wiretaps, surveillance, confidential informants, cooperating witnesses, more than 20 controlled drug purchases, a GPS vehicle tracker and four court-authorized search warrants. Members of the drug trafficking organization distributed crack cocaine, fentanyl, and heroin to users and resellers in and around Camden and to people cooperating with the FBI. The investigation ultimately led to the seizure of more than 300 grams of crack cocaine, quantities of fentanyl and heroin, a firearm, and drug paraphernalia. After the initial arrests, Leak was charged in March 2018.

The count to which Leak pleaded guilty carries a mandatory minimum term of five years in prison, a maximum of 40 years in prison and a $5 million fine. Sentencing is scheduled for March 11, 2019.

Five other defendants – Daron Suiter, 24, George Williams, 44, Latoya Whealton, a/k/a “Toya,” 34, and Rajai Gaines, a/k/a “Jigga,” 36, and Karim Johnson, a/k/a “Chicky” – have previously pleaded guilty. Suiter was sentenced on Aug. 9, 2018, to five years in prison. Johnson was sentenced on Nov. 27, 2018, to 10 years in prison. The other defendants are awaiting sentencing.

Drug and firearm charges remain pending in a second superseding indictment against five other defendants, including alleged leaders John Gunther, a/k/a “Critty,” 35; and Taleaf Gunther, a/k/a “Leafy” and “L,” 32; as well as alleged members William Roland, a/k/a “Chill,” 36; Mark Campbell, a/k/a “D” and “Diz,” 28; and Malcolm McCoy, 26.

U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents of the FBI’s South Jersey Violent Offender and Gang Task Force, South Jersey Resident Agency, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Michael Harpster; the Camden County Police Department, under the direction of Chief J. Scott Thomson; the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor Mary Eva Colalillo; and the N.J. State Police, under the direction of Col. Patrick J. Callahan, with the investigation. He also thanked the Camden County Sheriff’s Department, the Cherry Hill Police Department, and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) for their assistance.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Gabriel J. Vidoni of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Criminal Division in Camden.

The charges and allegations contained in the second superseding indictment are merely accusations, and those defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Defense counsel: Teri Lodge Esq., Marlton, New Jersey