Wiretaps Lead To Bust Of Local Meth Operation
A total of 32 suspects were arrested in connection with a methamphetamine distribution network which spanned from northern Montgomery County to Philadelphia.
Montgomery County District Attorney Risa Ferman has announced the arrest of 32 suspects in connection with a large-scale methamphetamine trafficking operation, which spanned from northern Montgomery County to Philadelphia and included 12 residents of Lansdale Borough and Hatfield, Towamencin, Montgomery and Upper Gwynedd townships.
Methamphetamine was recovered from a motorcycle repair shop in Lansdale, according to the report, just one of many locations where police executed a search warrant.
One of those arrested in charged with drug violations include Ronald Krauss, owner of Bad Ronald's Custom Tattooing in Lansdale.
The investigation began in 2011, when detectives from the district attorney's Narcotics Enforcement Team were tipped off to the alleged drug trafficking activities of Hatfield residents Frank Messina, Jeffrey Penna and David Penna, as well as Troy Dudas, of Limerick Township. Based on information gathered during the investigation, authorities were able to secure the use of wiretaps and electronic surveillance on the cell phones of Messina and Dudas from Feb. 8, 2012, through Feb. 29, 2012.
As a result of the surveillance, 14 search warrants were executed across Montgomery and Philadelphia counties, where authorities were able to recover quantities of methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia and firearms.
One of the locations was Cosmo Motors, an auto shop located at 101 East Blaine St. in Lansdale, where Messina worked. Cosmo Motors is a motorcycle and vehicle wholesale parts, distribution and repair facility.
According to the press release, the structure of the organization consisted of "meth distributers, users, and pushers." The release also states that the main targets were brothers Jeffrey and Devid Penna, who "used and distributed methamphetamine from Jeffrey Penna's residence in Hatfield Township."
The release states that the Penna brothers were later joined by Messina, who allegedly used and distributed methamphetamine, including to his own sister, Lisa Messina. Authorities were able to intercept conversations between Messina and his sister, which detailed "their method of operation in the distribution and use of [methamphetamine]."
The release also states that the investigation revealed links to a methamphetamine distribution network in Philadelphia, which was allegedly headed by brothers Juan and Antonio Encarnacion.
The suspects were arraigned on Wednesday, May 2, and Friday, May 4, by Magisterial District Judge Andrea Duffy, and a preliminary hearing is scheduled for May 11, at 10 a.m.
The following were charged with Felony Corrupt Organizations and Violations of the Drug Act:
- Francesco “Frank” Messina, 719 Schwab Road, Hatfield Township
- Troy Dudas, 111 Mine Run Road, Limerick Township
- Todd Slawecki, 42 Orchard Court, Royersford, Upper Providence Township
- Robert Glorioso, 1295 Cabin Road, Hatfield Township
- Jeff Penna, 1295 Cabin Road, Hatfield Township
- Dave Penna, 1898 Valley Forge Road, Towamencin Township
- Jeff Martinez, 3822 North 6th St., Philadelphia
- James Trull, 1447 Old Skippack Road, Upper Salford Township
- Antonio Encarnacion Perales, 1002 N. Marshall St. 2nd floor, Philadelphia
- Vanessa Ramos, 1002 N. Marshall St. 2nd floor, Philadelphia
- Juan M.Encarnacion, 3921 N. 6th St. Philadelphia,
- Kent Lee Seprauskie “Gadget”, 55 Meng Road, Limerick Township
- Timothy Beck, 55 Meng Road, Limerick Township
- Kristina Popelarski, 385 Greenwood Ave., Upper Providence Township
- Joel Jay Payumo, aka Marissa Devine, 251 E. Thompson St., Philadelphia
- Joseph “Phoenix” Croxton, 1734 Tasker St., Floor 1, Philadelphia
- Dan Ells, 225 East 2nd St. Apartment B, Lansdale
- Rodney Creciun, 108 Stump Road, Montgomery Township
- John Griffith, 1626 Sheffield Drive, Whitpain Township
The following defendants were charged with Misdemeanor Violations of the Drug Act:
- Ronald Krauss, 10 South Towamencin Ave., Lansdale
- Jamie L. Hamburg, 27 Lincoln Ave. Floor 2, Lansdale
- Anthony LaGrotte, 149 North 3rd St., Telford
- Carmen Iannelli, 2382 Orchard Lane, New Hanover Township
- John J. Welsh III, 1150 Schwab Road, Hatfield Township
- Lisa Messina, 2564 Morris Road, Worcester Township
- Donald L Preston, 72 Roboda Boulevard, Upper Providence Township
- Kevin Saldutti, 1415 East Hewson St., Philadelphia
- Ryan Burns, 804 Marlbrook Lane, Upper Gwynedd (Madison at Willowyck)
- Norman R. Russell Jr., 3275 Bergey Road, Hatfield Township
- Thomas McGoldrick, 1 Boro Line Road, King of Prussia
- Keith Chasteen, 251 E. Thompson St., Philadelphia
- Judy Cress, 913 Township Line Road, Phoenixville
Jen
4:13 pm on Tuesday, May 8, 2012
some real lookers in this bunch
Sandy Olszta
4:35 pm on Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Ha, Jen, I said the same thing..... Everyone of them looks completely strung out. I guess when you are pushing and manufacturing drugs, you get a little stressed out! lol
Outpatient8
5:12 pm on Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Good luck Dan.
Dr. Richard Schwartz
9:25 am on Wednesday, May 9, 2012
If they returned pseudoephedrine back to a prescription drug the problem of meth , meth addiction and labs would decrease dramatically. Big Pharma refuses to let that happen . <a href="http://www.mapleglenchiro.com">Chiropractor in Ambler 19002</a>
LWK
9:55 am on Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Did you miss the news where very small amount of pseudoephedrine, a 2 liter soda bottle, and couple other items are the new way to make meth? Criminals and drug users will find their ways around any legal roadblocks. How has requiring prescriptions for oxy and other narcotics stopped their illegal use? Making pseudo precription-only is just an inconvenience for the law abiding folks and means that the crooked docs who write scripts for the fake oxy patients would just need to write for the meth heads' pseudoephedrine as well. I have to say--I just crossed you off my list of possible chiropractors based on your simplistic thought process. Way to get your ad in the comments section, though.
smg826
4:11 pm on Wednesday, May 9, 2012
LWK you make a few good points, but so does Dr. Schwartz. Educate yourself on the history of meth production. Here's a good timeline and read the last two years - especially.
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/meth/etc/cron.html
roxxygirl
10:23 am on Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Think they were more than a little stressed alot of people for a small organization if you read the article they only had a half ounce out to 32 people anyway they werent making they were selling but thats there buisness and good luck frank hate to see you in this situation now who do i bring my car to
Sweet job guys
11:04 am on Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Good job wasting all your time on 32 smoked out meth heads and a half ounce of the drug, this isnt going to disrupt anything, hopefully this leads them to the big guys but if not a complete waste of time
Red Right Hand
1:00 pm on Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Scum
Dont forget kiddos about wire taps and the guns and other evidence that the group can be charged with, do your research..... dont speculate on on what you dont know!
Roy Martin
5:22 pm on Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Geez, they might have to sell their Harleys to pay legal bills...
Sandy Olszta
5:47 pm on Wednesday, May 9, 2012
I agree with you. These guys have all the nice toys and never seem to hold a job. You and I go out and bust our butts every day just to make ends meet. I don't feel bad for them. They knew the price they could pay. Some jobs come with risk. Some jobs risk lives others risk freedom. That is the beauty of this country, they had a choice.
bat man
7:07 pm on Wednesday, May 9, 2012
should have stayed in school fools
Margaret Teirney
7:47 pm on Wednesday, May 9, 2012
@ roxxygirl, you are an idiot!!!!
Theodore J. Leichner
9:36 pm on Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Meth is bad.
nama
10:49 pm on Thursday, May 10, 2012
The information in this article is mostly from an investigation of wire taps. its like whisper down the lane. a lot of assumption and not much documented fact. remember kids, assuming makes an ass out of you and me.
The Voice of Reason
11:21 pm on Thursday, May 10, 2012
Do you think judges just hand out wiretap warrants like they're candy? There had to have been some pretty solid evidence for the warrant to exist in the first place. Since charges were filed on these suspects, you can be assured that the police have a lot more evidence than they're letting on to the public at this time. No point in compromising their case.
JMK
3:32 pm on Friday, May 11, 2012
They really should get their facts straight before mentioning certain people's names and ruining their bussiness.
Keith Heffintrayer
4:02 pm on Friday, May 11, 2012
JMK -
All information, dates, locations and names came from a press release which was distributed by the district attorney's office. We repeatedly used the words "allege" and "according to the press release" to indicate that the information contained in this article has neither been proven true or false.
We would also welcome any of the accused to present their side of the story, but as of this time, that has not happened.
Bad Ronald
7:42 pm on Tuesday, May 15, 2012
The sad thing is that the majority of them will get off scott free....I know a person on the list, unfortunately, and even with a bunch of counts against her, nothing will happen to her. She's been strung out for years and will continue to be so...
True
11:08 am on Tuesday, April 9, 2013
I also know a person on the list. Jail for 3 years.. that's punishment.
Cosam90
10:25 pm on Wednesday, May 16, 2012
People should really get there facts and shit straight before having these articles printed and ruining people lives, then again some have nothing better to do. Keep up the good work of lies and fraud. You can't believe everything you here anymore . Bravo bravo
DipsyDoodle
11:59 pm on Sunday, May 20, 2012
You're an idiot if you actually believe they're innocent.....or you're a customer.
HA81
10:51 am on Monday, May 21, 2012
Cosam90, I hear you loud an clear about that. But you would say something like that due to the fact you work there or are a customer there. I'M an OUTLAW BIKER 1%er an Meth is what we get rid of because it's a bad f'ing drug. Shit everyone needs to get there facts straight in this one.
Ann Cornell
10:17 am on Thursday, May 17, 2012
A comment has been removed because it violates our terms of service.
jack off
12:09 am on Tuesday, June 5, 2012
ha ha play with me you play with the best beat me you lay with the rest fu.. you frank
jack off
12:20 am on Tuesday, June 5, 2012
poor little frank. no big man now. never know who your friends are. until you beat them. thats why you are where you now dumd ass..............ha ha ha ha got you.like you thought you got me............. now iam happy.jack off....
suchaqt2
6:47 am on Thursday, June 14, 2012
Wish they would have gotten the rest that are involved!!!!
Nama
4:50 pm on Saturday, December 8, 2012
There are definately some here that are innocent and some here that are more guilty than what was mentioned. Some shouldnt have been charged and some got away without being charged. The law enforcement did a excelent job here. Unfortunately guilty by association is what happens to some of the innocent. Yes, the charges are based on some real evidence but, it is one step of an investigation. Each person here is dealt with individually. Some have no choice but to plead guilty because of the strength of the evidence and some have good defences as to why they are truely innocent of the charges brought against them. Its the way the system works. Its not perfect but, it sure works pretty good.
Nama
4:50 pm on Saturday, December 8, 2012
This was pretty much based on the head guys being users and only doing what it took to support thier own habbit. Nobody charged here really made any money. Frank owned nothing but a handymans toolbox and a few other tools he didnt know how to use. He was simply an employee. The business had nothing to do with the drug bust. The real owners of that business are legitimate and were not interested and did not profit from any drug activity that happened there. If it wasnt for Frank, his delusions, scams and, arrogance, this little drug ring would still be. So, good job Frank! Im sure law enforcement thanks you for making thier job easier. The community thanks you for being the one sole responsible for getting a few more criminals and thier drugs off the street. Who knows, im sure some of the ones charged thank you as well for forcing them to strighten up and be a positive member in society again. As for you, my bet is that you will never figure it out. You must have either been born stupid or the drug caused so much brain damage it made you that way. Law enforcement and the informants they had were only the first in a long line waiting to serve some justice on you.