United States Drug Enforcement Administration

PITTSBURGH, PA. - Nineteen individuals have been charged in two separate, but related, indictments with violating federal narcotics laws, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

A one-count indictment returned on June 7, 2011, and unsealed today, charges nine Allegheny County residents and one Washington County resident with drug trafficking. The indictment names:

• Brian David Wolfe, a/k/a Jeff Hoffman, a/k/a Jason Hines, a/k/a Dior R. Christian, a/k/a Joseph Gal, a/k/a Tim Larkin, a/k/a Jayson Sanders, a/k/a
• Jeff Larkin, 36, of 986 Cochrans Mill Road, South Park, Pennsylvania;
• Shannon Houston Wolfe, 39, of 986 Cochrans Mill Road, South Park, Pennsylvania;
• Ryan Robert Beharry, 26, of 122 Briarwood Drive, Penn Hills, Pennsylvania;
• Daniel Saamus Malady, 29, of 6930 Hillsdale Drive, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania;
• Dennis O'Hare, a/k/a Dennis Harris, 48, of 4067 Daniel Street, Elizabeth, Pennsylvania;
• Stephen Michael Arovits, 26, of 2823 New England Road, West Mifflin, Pennsylvania;
• Roy Getty Arthrell, a/k/a Roy Arthur, 35, of 3710 Route 88, Finleyville, Pennsylvania;
• Terrell Ockmig Robinson, 28, of 110 Oak Street, West Mifflin, Pennsylvania;
• David Jones Smouse, a/k/a Dave Cimeno, a/k/a David Seese, a/k/a Dave Lowe, a/k/a Dave Sparks, 28, of 273 Utah Avenue, West Mifflin, Pennsylvania; and
• Michael Schwartzbauer, 32, of 3832 Edgecliff Road, South Park, Pennsylvania.
  According to the indictment, from February 26, 2009 to June 21, 2010, the defendants conspired to distribute and possess with intent to distribute oxycodone, a Schedule II controlled substance.

“Prescription drug abuse is becoming the nation's fastest growing drug problem all across the United States and Pittsburgh, unfortunately is no exception. The extraordinary collaborative efforts by all the agencies involved in this case contributed to the elimination of the area's largest network and source of supply for criminally diverted pharmaceuticals that so often end up in the wrong hands and leads to tragic consequences,” said Special Agent in Charge John J. Bryfonski of the Philadelphia Division of the United States Drug Enforcement (DEA).

In a separate, but related, indictment, nine Allegheny County residents were charged by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh with drug trafficking. The one-count indictment, returned on June 7, 2011, and unsealed today, names:

• James Anthony Dixon, 38, of 1016 Schweitzer Drive, South Park, Pennsylvania;
• John Henry Minor, 25, of 309 Onyx Street, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania;
• Jennifer Alexxis Magura, a/k/a Melissa Jennifer Kidd, a/k/a Stephany Amanda Cousins, a/k/a Angelique Stephany Scherer, 41, of 108 Maple Avenue, Dravosburg, Pennsylvania;
• Rachel Ann McGovern, 29, of 1318 Sterling Street, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania;
• Zachary Grant Janaszek, 21, of 111 Eckert Street, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania;
• Eric Jye Kisner, a/k/a Erik James Bendel, a/k/a Jacob Matthew Parrache, 39, of 3024 Jennylind Street, McKeesport, Pennsylvania;
• Kimberly Anne Dayton, 39, of 344 Plum Avenue, Carnegie, Pennsylvania;
• Tina L. Samolovitch, 25, of 1041 Piney Ridge Road, South Park, Pennsylvania; and
• Kiahwatha Rahiem Downey, 31, of 7 Natchez Street, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
  According to the indictment, from Feb. 26, 2009 to June 21, 2010, the defendants conspired to distribute and possess with intent to distribute oxycodone.

“In this case and others, we are seeing a significant increase in the number of sophisticated criminal organizations that are involved in the illegal distribution of prescription drugs. This increase is being fueled by a strong demand for illicit oxycodone, hydrocodone and other narcotics. Many of the users of these drugs are becoming addicted and moving on to more powerful drugs like heroin, which poses a significant risk to the addict and the community in which they live,” stated Gary M. Davis, Assistant Special Agent in Charge, and head of the DEA Pittsburgh District Office.

The law provides for a total sentence of not more than 20 years in prison, a fine of $1,000,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the criminal history, if any, of the defendants.

Assistant United States Attorney Mary McKeen Houghton is prosecuting the cases on behalf of the government.

In separate, but related cases, the following Allegheny County residents pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute oxycodone:

• John Paul Larcinese, Criminal No. 10-207, 31, of 135 Waterman Road, Jefferson Hills, Pennsylvania;
• Audrey Jean Barton, Criminal No. 10-240, 51, of 7090 Dumbarton Place, Bethel Park, Pennsylvania;
• Shaun Joseph O'Rorke, Criminal No. 10-241, 29, of 125 Thunderwood Drive, Bethel Park, Pennsylvania;
• Lisa Dawn Taylor, Criminal No. 11-79, 28, of 504 Augusta Street, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania;
• Chelsey Ruth Witt, Criminal No. 11-77, 22, of 513 Old Clairton Road, Clairton, Pennsylvania; and
• James Martin Mack, Criminal No. 11-80, 32, of 1406 Ravine Street, Munhall, Pennsylvania.
  

The Pittsburgh District Office of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Mt. Lebanon Police Department, South Park Police Department, Pleasant Hills Police Department, Bethel Park Police Department, North Versailles Police Department, Whitehall Police Department, City of Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, Allegheny County Probation/Parole Office, Allegheny County District Attorney's Office and the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of the defendants.