The U.S. Attorney’s Office
District of Eastern Pennsylvania released the below information:
PHILADELPHIA – Two
indictments[1] were unsealed today charging 24 people in violent drug
trafficking groups that had operated out of the Norman Blumberg Apartment
Complex, a public housing facility in Philadelphia, announced Acting United
States Attorney Louis D. Lappen. The first indictment (Criminal No. 17-71)
charges Edward Stinson, 27, Emmett Perkins, 29, Rondell Holloway, 27, Jamillah
Bellamy, 35, Debra Baylor, 28, Jerry Lawrence, 27, Germel Perkins, 24, Carl
Stinson, 21, Imere Stinson, 22, Daquian Brown, 22, Reginald Copper, 55,
Terrance Jackson, 47, and Stephen Dawkins, Sr., 52, all of Philadelphia, with
conspiracy to distribute 280 grams or more of crack cocaine, distribution of
crack cocaine within 1,000 feet of public housing (a drug-free zone), and
related crimes in 86 separate counts. The second indictment (Criminal No.
17-72) charges Juan Jarmon, 30, Damon Edwards, 31, Donta Edwards, 28, Raheen
Butler, 33, Michael Ferrell, 25, Dottie Good, 30, Taft Harris, Jr., 27, Steven
Thompson, 34, Derek Fernandes, 58, Anthony Staggers, 34, and Gene Wilson, Jr.,
40, all of Philadelphia, as well as Edward Stinson and Dawkins, with conspiracy
to distribute 280 grams or more of crack cocaine, distribution of crack cocaine
within 1,000 feet of public housing (a drug-free zone), and related crimes in
48 separate counts.
It is alleged that members of
these drug trafficking groups sold crack cocaine 24 hours a day, 7 days a week,
in and around the public housing facility, employing a large network of
supervisors, shift sellers, and lookouts, including juveniles. Members of these
groups allegedly supplied millions of dollars of crack cocaine in the alleys,
hallways, and residences of this public housing facility and to the streets of
this neighborhood. It is further alleged that members of these groups used and
carried firearms, robbed rival drug dealers, and used intimidation, threats,
and violence to further the interests of the groups. For example, the second
indictment (Criminal No. 17-72) alleges that when one female resident told
others that the group sold drugs, Jarmon threatened her and then physically
assaulted her, allowing the group to continue selling crack cocaine.
“These indictments charge the
defendants with running large-scale, violent drug trafficking groups in a
public housing facility that provided housing to low-income residents and
families,” said Lappen. “Individuals who engage in drug trafficking,
particularly those who prey on the financial weakness and vulnerability of
persons, such as drug users and addicts, juveniles, and those living in
poverty, should know that they will be prosecuted and held accountable for
their crimes. We will continue to commit the federal resources necessary to
combat these drug trafficking groups and give the many good residents in these
areas an opportunity to reclaim their neighborhoods.”
“For years, this organization
has maintained a stranglehold on the Blumberg Apartments complex and
surrounding neighborhoods,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Michael Harpster.
“They’ve used intimidation and violence to maintain control of that area. The
FBI and our law enforcement partners are determined to bring drug traffickers
to justice, for the crimes committed and incalculable damage done to our
communities.”
“These defendants terrorized
the residents of the Norman Blumberg Apartment complex with their drug
trafficking activities alleged in these indictments as well as the violence
associated with their illegal trade,” said Gary Tuggle, Special Agent in Charge
of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Philadelphia Field Division.
“The DEA, working with its law enforcement partners such as the FBI, PPD,
Philadelphia Housing Authority Police Department, and the Philadelphia District
Attorney’s Office will remain vigilant in pursuing cases against drug
trafficking organizations that seek to hold residents of public housing
communities hostage with their criminal activities.”
According to the indictments,
Edward Stinson was a leader of both drug trafficking groups and conducted drug
trafficking activities from both inside and outside of prison. As charged in
the first indictment (Criminal No. 17-71), Edward Stinson and Emmett Perkins
controlled drug sales in various areas of the public housing facility from 2010
to 2015. As charged in the second indictment (Criminal No. 17-72), Jarmon,
Damon Edwards, and Edward Stinson controlled drug sales in various areas of the
public housing facility from 2012 to 2014. These leaders allegedly obtained
bulk crack and cocaine, cooked and packaged crack cocaine into bundles, hired,
fired, and supervised shift sellers and lookouts, levied taxes on members and
customers, and provided protection from other drug trafficking groups. It is
alleged that the shift sellers were the daily workers employed by the leaders
to sell crack cocaine in the locations controlled by the groups, while the
lookouts assisted other members of the groups by alerting them to the presence
of law enforcement and directing customers to the shift sellers.
If convicted of all charges,
each defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of life in prison and a
mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison.
This case was investigated by
the United States Attorney’s Office, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Drug
Enforcement Administration in collaboration with the Philadelphia Police
Department, the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office and the Philadelphia
Housing Authority Police. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States
Attorneys Jerome Maiatico and Katayoun Copeland.
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