A Camden man was arraigned in federal court today for his alleged role in a drug trafficking ring responsible for selling crack, heroin, and furanyl fentanyl in and around Camden, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.
According to officials, Davon Leak, 19, is charged in a second superseding indictment with one count of conspiracy to distribute 280 grams or more of cocaine base as well as quantities of heroin and furanyl fentanyl. He was arraigned this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Joel Schneider in Camden federal court and was remanded to the custody of Camden County, where he is being held on other charges. Leak was charged in the federal indictment following the arrests of 10 other members of the drug ring in June 2017.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
John Gunther, 34, of Blackwood, New Jersey, and Taleaf Gunther, 32, of Camden, obtained bulk supplies of narcotics, prepared and packaged those controlled substances for street level sale, provided crack cocaine, furanyl fentanyl, and heroin to other members for resale to customers, collected drug proceeds, and oversaw the daily sales and operation of the organization. Taleaf Gunther also allegedly possessed a firearm in furtherance of the drug trafficking conspiracy.
Officials said other members of the organization – including William Roland, 36, Daron Suiter, 23, Karim Johnson, 39, Latoya Whealton, 33, and Malcolm McCoy, 27, all of Camden – assisted in the distribution and sale of the drugs. George Williams, 43, of Oaklyn, supplied heroin and furanyl fentanyl to the organization. Leak and Rajai Gaines, 36, of Camden, assisted with the preparation of drugs for resale. Mark Campbell, 28, of Sicklerville, New Jersey, supplied bulk quantities of crack cocaine to members of the organization.
The FBI-led investigation used surveillance, confidential informants, cooperating witnesses, more than 20 controlled drug purchases, record checks, a GPS vehicle tracker, and multiple telephone wiretaps and search warrants to uncover the operations of the drug trafficking organization.
The investigation ultimately led to the seizure of over 300 grams of crack cocaine, quantities of furanyl fentanyl and heroin, a firearm, and drug paraphernalia.
The drug conspiracy charge with which Leak is charged carries a mandatory minimum term of 10 years in prison, a maximum potential penalty of life in prison, and a $10 million fine.
According to authorities, on Mar. 26th, Johnson and Suiter pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 28 grams or more of cocaine base. As part of their pleas, Johnson and Suiter also accepted responsibility for distributing furanyl fentanyl to customers in Camden. Both defendants face a mandatory minimum term of 60 months in prison when they are sentenced on July 10, 2018.
Officials said Williams pleaded guilty on Mar. 12th to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute furanyl fentanyl. Sentencing is scheduled for June 18, 2018.
Whealton on Mar. 5th, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 28 grams or more of cocaine base. As part of her plea, Whealton also accepted responsibility for distributing furanyl fentanyl and heroin to customers in Camden. She faces a mandatory minimum term of 60 months in prison at her sentencing on June 11, 2018.
The charges against John Gunther, Taleaf Gunther, Roland, Campbell, McCoy, Leak, and Gaines are still pending and they are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.