PA Attorney General charges 13 in Erie, Crawford counties for drug trafficking

Meadville Tribune, The Meadville Tribune, Pa.
·3 min read

May 18—More than a dozen area residents are facing charges in connection with an alleged drug and gun trafficking ring in Erie and Crawford counties, Pennsylvania Attorney General Michelle Henry said Friday.

The 51st Statewide Investigating Grand Jury has recommended charges against 13 individuals, and arrests began late last week, Henry said.

The alleged head of the ring, Quran Lindsey-Cooley, 25, of Erie, was taken into custody on multiple charges including corrupt organizations, felony drugs and firearms offenses, and related offenses, Henry said.

Investigators from the Office of Attorney General allege Lindsey-Cooley and Daymeon Duck, 26, of Erie, coordinated the trafficking operation, using multiple other individuals to sell fentanyl/heroin and methamphetamine, and supplied those sellers with firearms.

The Office of Attorney General's Bureau of Narcotics Investigations tracked Lindsey-Cooley, Duck, and their associates — initiating Grand Jury proceedings in 2022 that resulted in a recent presentment, Henry said.

"This network of defendants was committed to pushing poisons into numerous communities in the northwest corner of the Commonwealth, and they possessed firearms to protect their profitable operation," Henry said in a statement. "I commend the agents involved in tracking down this ring, and thank the grand jurors for their time and attention, which has made many neighborhoods safer as a result."

In multiple search warrant operations, agents seized quantities of methamphetamine, fentanyl, pills containing fentanyl, seven firearms, and cash proceeds from trafficking, Henry said.

According to the Office of Attorney General, those charged with corrupt organization in addition to drug and other counts were:

Quran Lindsey-Cooley, 25, Erie, held in Erie County Prison in lieu of $250,000 bond.

Daymeon Duck, 26, Erie, released on $75,000 bond.

Penny Cattledge, 35, Erie, free on $100,000 unsecured bond.

Tyreem S. Craig, 27, Erie, held in Erie County Prison in lieu of $250,000 bond.

Kevin M. Carter Jr., 26, Erie, not in custody.

Brant Rittenhouse, 26, Butler, not in custody.

According to the Office of Attorney General, those were charged with drug and related counts were:

Tiffany Fletcher, 34, Meadville, held in Erie County Prison in lieu of $50,000 bond.

Antonio D. Jefferson, 23, Erie, free on $50,000 unsecured bond.

Kaelesha Johnson, 27, Erie, free on $10,000 unsecured bond.

Jody Joint, 34, Pittsburgh, free on $10,000 unsecured bond.

Steven A. Mills, 34, Meadville, held in Erie County Prison in lieu of $50,000 bond.

Edwin A. Peelman, 36, Conneaut Lake, not in custody.

Dustin M. Sudul, 35, Oil City, not in custody.

Assisting law enforcement agencies in the investigation were: City of Erie Bureau of Police, City of Meadville Police, City of St. Marys Police, Elk County District Attorney's Detective Bureau, Edinboro Borough Police, Emporium Borough Police, Erie County District Attorney's Detective Bureau, Girard Borough Police, Lake City Borough of Police, Lawrence County District Attorney's Detectives, New Castle Police, and the Millcreek Township Police.

The defendants will be prosecuted by the Office of Attorney General's Drug Strike Force Section.