United States Drug Enforcement Administration

SYRACUSE, N.Y. -  - Three people were arrested today and charged in federal court with  methamphetamine and listed chemical offenses and 13 others were arrested and charged in Lewis County for state offenses involving the sale and possession of methamphetamine and other illegal drugs, announced United States Attorney Richard S. Hartunian and Lewis County District Attorney Leanne Moser.

Federal Defendants -

Eric Campbell - , 35, of Port Leyden, New York, Cayla Wujek - , 24, of Port Leyden, New York, and Jessica Bowers - , 35, a resident of the state of Georgia, are charged with conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine in Lewis County in November 2015.  The three were also each charged individually with possessing pseudoephedrine, a listed chemical, knowing it would be used to manufacture methamphetamine.  The charges carry a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years, a fine of up to $1,000,000, and a term of supervised release of at least three years.

All three federal defendants were arrested today and are scheduled to be arraigned at 2:00 pm in Syracuse, New York, before United States Magistrate Judge David E. Peebles.  A federal defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.

Today’s arrests are part of a joint federal and state investigation into methamphetamine manufacturing and distribution in Lewis County. In addition to the three defendants charged in Federal Court, another 13 defendants were arrested today in Lewis County on state charges alleging the sale and possession of methamphetamine, methamphetamine precursors, and other illegal drugs. 

New York State Defendants -

Joshua Alexander - , 32, of Copenhagen, New York, is charged with Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Fourth Degree, Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Fifth (two counts) and Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Fifth Degree.

Lucas Boliver - , 29, of Lowville, New York, is charged with Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Fifth Degree, and Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Fifth Degree.

Sasha Eckelman - , 27, of Glenfield, New York, is charged with Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree and Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree.

Ryan Granger - , 36, of Lowville, New York, is charged with Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Fifth Degree.

Julie Green - , 48, of Watertown, New York, is charged with Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Third (3 counts) and Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third (3 counts).

James Lynch - , 27, of Old Forge, New York, is charged with Sale of An Imitation Controlled Substance.

Brittany Moshier - , 23, of Constableville, New York, is charged with Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Fifth Degree.

Adam J. Rhoades - , 20, of Turin, New York, is charged with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Seventh Degree.

Tonia Simmons - , 37, of Castorland, New York, is charged with Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree and Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Fifth (2 counts), and Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Fifth (2 counts).

Dawn Stanley - , 39, of Lowville, New York, is charged with Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Fifth Degree, and Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Fifth Degree.

Douglas Tuttle - , 21, of Lowville, New York, is charged with Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Fifth Degree.

Gregory Ward - , 31, of Glenfield, New York, is charged with Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree and Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree.

Kendra Zehr - , 20, of Lowville, New York, is charged with Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree and Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree.

The charges are merely accusations. The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
 
U.S. Attorney Hartunian stated, “Today’s arrests represent the latest accomplishments in a longstanding, collaborative effort between my office, the DEA, and our state and local partners to target and eradicate illegal methamphetamine production in the North Country, Central New York, and the Southern Tier.  With our actions today, illegal methamphetamine producers, as well as the “smurfs” who provide them with the pseudoephedrine necessary to manufacture this horribly addictive and destructive drug, continue to be on notice that their illegal activity subjects them to prosecution by both state and federal authorities, and I applaud the work done by Lewis County District Attorney Leanne Moser, the New York State Police, the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office, the Village of Lowville Police Department, and the DEA in this regard.”

"These arrests are an example of one part in the fight against drugs and how the cooperation of multiple law enforcement agencies can make a significant impact in eradicating all types of illegally controlled substances from being bought and sold on the streets of our communities. It is a constant and continual battle that police officers and prosecutors fight every day, and today is the result of a long, worthwhile step in this battle,” said Lewis County District Attorney Leanne Moser. 

This case is being investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement (DEA), the United States Marshals Service, the New York State Police, the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office and the Lowville Village Police Department. The defendants charged in federal court are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Carl Eurenius. The defendants charged under New York State Law in Lewis County are being prosecuted by Lewis County District Attorney Leanne Moser and Assistant District Attorney Mark Lemieux.