Prosecutors: ‘Large-Scale’ Pot Distributors Halted; Drug Ring Reached State College Area

Narcotics agents have disrupted a multi-state marijuana ring that apparently delivered hundreds of pounds to the State College area, the state Attorney General’s office announced Friday.

The office has charged 11 people in connection with the $6 million distribution ring, according to the announcement. The organization sprawled from upstate New York to Pennsylvania and as far south as Charlotte, N.C., authorities said.

An investigation into the ring began in 2007, when narcotics agents identified Paul Spara, of State College, and New York state resident Jason Remington as ‘large-scale’ marijuana distributors, Attorney General Tom Corbett said in a prepared statement.

The two allegedly brought hundreds of pounds of the drug into the State College area. While seven people were arrested in April 2009 during an early phase of the probe, agents continued tracking Spara’s suppliers more recently, the Attorney General’s office indicated.

Criminal charges were filed against the latest 11 suspects today, following a recommendation by a grand jury. Spara was connected to a multi-state network that was led by John Murray, of Utica, N.Y., according to the grand jury.

Corbett, in his statement, said Spara is accused of using Murray as his marijuana source via Anthony Cenicola, of Hamilton, N.Y. The Murray organization is accused of supplying dealers in Pennsylvania, Virginia, North Carolina and New York.

A residence in New Hartford, N.Y., has been ‘identified as a marijuana distribution center, processing area, repackaging location and a drug ‘stash house,” according to a news release.

Agents have estimated that the Murray organization delivered about a ton of marijuana in New York and Pennsylvania between December 2005 and June 2008, according to the release. Its street value is estimated at $6 million.

The defendants, listed below with the charges filed against them, will be prosecuted in Centre County by Senior Deputy Attorney General Patrick Leonard. Corbett said the Centre County District Attorney’s Office, among multiple other organizations, assisted in the investigation.

• John Murray, 35, of Utica, N.Y.; charged with possession with intent to deliver/delivery of marijuana, corrupt organizations, criminal conspiracy and dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity.

• Andrew Phelix, 26, of Brasher Falls, N.Y.; charged with possession with intent to deliver/delivery of marijuana, corrupt organizations, criminal conspiracy and dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity.

• Kyle Ward, 25, of Massena, N.Y.; charged with possession with intent to deliver/delivery of marijuana, corrupt organizations, criminal conspiracy and dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity.

• Justin Bealieu, 26, of Massena, N.Y.; charged with possession with intent to deliver/delivery of marijuana, corrupt organizations, criminal conspiracy and dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity.

• Josh Harris, also known as Josh Burkhart, 33, of Waterville, N.Y.; charged with criminal conspiracy.

• Sarah Mulvihill, 29, of New Hartford, N.Y.; charged with possession with intent to deliver/delivery of marijuana and criminal conspiracy.

• Anthony Cenicola, of Hamilton, N.Y.; charged with possession with intent to deliver/delivery of marijuana and criminal conspiracy.

• Neil Tomnay, 25, of Pittsburgh; charged with possession with intent to deliver/delivery of marijuana and criminal conspiracy.

• Ryan Berkheiser, 25, of Bloomsburg; charged with possession with intent to deliver/delivery of marijuana, criminal conspiracy and dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity.

• Robert Sivec, 27, of Sidman; charged with possession with intent to deliver/delivery of marijuana, criminal conspiracy and dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity.

• Bryn D. Eltringham Jr., 25, of Boca Raton, Fla.; charged with criminal conspiracy.