Riverhead, NY - August 31, 2018 - Suffolk County District Attorney Timothy D. Sini today announced the unsealing of a 33-count indictment against seven individuals in connection with an alleged narcotics distribution ring operating in the Montauk area.
“This indictment is the result of a months-long, multi-agency investigation that utilized electronic surveillance in addition to excellent investigative work by police officers and detectives to dismantle an alleged narcotics ring,” District Attorney Sini said. “I want to particularly thank the East Hampton Police Department for their outstanding work in this case. The Montauk community had voiced concerns about drug dealing in the area, particularly during the summer months, and we listened. My office worked in close collaboration with our law enforcement partners to target and arrest these alleged perpetrators responsible for trafficking drugs into the community, and we intend to prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law.”
The investigation was conducted by the District Attorney’s Office in collaboration with the East Hampton Police Department, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and members of the District Attorney’s Office’s East End Drug Task Force, including law enforcement officers and detectives from the New York State Police, Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office, Suffolk County Police Department, Suffolk County Department of Probation, East Hampton Town Police Department, Riverhead Town Police Department, Southampton Town Police Department, Southampton Village Police Department, and Southold Town Police Department.
The investigation, which began in March 2018, revealed evidence of an alleged conspiracy by the defendants to sell narcotics, including cocaine and oxycodone, to patrons in bars and restaurants in the Montauk area.
Several of the defendants are seasonal workers in the service industry who live together in rented houses or motels provided by their employers. The investigation revealed evidence that the defendants were using both the residences and the commercial establishments at which they were employed to conduct the alleged sale of narcotics. The commercial establishments include Swallow East, Six-Eight-Six the Gig Shack, Shagwong Tavern, The Liar’s Saloon, and O’Murphy’s Pub & Restaurant.
Five of the defendants were arraigned on the indictment today in front of Suffolk County Court Justice Timothy Mazzei. The individuals indicted are as follows:
- Geraldo Vargas-Munoz, a/k/a CHELO, 37, of Montauk, is charged with Operating as a Major Trafficker, an A-1 felony; Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the First Degree, an A-1 felony; Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the First Degree, an A-1 felony; three counts of Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Second Degree, an A-II felony; 12 counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, a B felony; Conspiracy in the Second Degree, a B felony; and two counts of Criminally Using Drug Paraphernalia in the Second Degree, an A misdemeanor. Bail was set at $1 million cash or $2 million bond.
- Elvin Silva-Ruiz, a/k/a PITO, 40, of Montauk, is charged with Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Second Degree, an A-II felony; three counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, a B felony; Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, a B felony; and Conspiracy in the Second Degree, a B felony. Bail was set at $750,000 cash or $1.5 million bond.
- William Crespo-Duran a/k/a FLACO, 35, of Montauk, is charged with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Second Degree, an A-II felony; Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, a B felony; Conspiracy in the Second Degree, a B felony; and two counts of Criminally Using Drug Paraphernalia in the Second Degree, an A misdemeanor. Bail was set at $750,000 cash or $1.5 million bond.
- Antonio Ramirez-Gonzalez, a/k/a TETE, 30, of Montauk, is charged with Conspiracy in the Second Degree, a B felony. Bail was set at $750,000 cash or $1.5 million bond.
- Angel DeJesus-Rodriguez, 31, of Montauk, is charged with Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Second Degree, an A-II felony; two counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, a B felony; and Conspiracy in the Second Degree, a B felony. He will be arraigned at a later date.
- Gilberto Quintana-Crespo, a/k/a JIMMY, 32, of Montauk, is charged with Conspiracy in the Second Degree, a B felony. Bail was set at $500,000 cash or $1 million bond.
- Eric Mendez, 38, of Montauk, is charged with Conspiracy in the Second Degree, a B felony. He is scheduled to be arraigned on September 7.
If convicted of the top count, Vargas-Munoz, a/k/a CHELO faces a maximum sentence of 25 years to life in prison. The other defendants each face a maximum indeterminate sentence of eight and one-third to 25 years in prison if convicted of the top count.
In furtherance of the alleged conspiracy to distribute narcotics, the defendants are alleged to have received packages of illicit substances through the mail from locations in and outside of the continental United States. An investigation by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service resulted in the seizure of a package of approximately 100 oxycodone and alprazolam pills addressed to one of the locations where the defendants were living and a second package containing approximately $17,460 cash alleged to be mailed by the defendants as payment.
On August 15, detectives and police officers executed search warrants at five locations connected to the alleged narcotics distribution ring. The search warrants resulted in the arrest of 17 individuals, including six of the defendants named in the indictment, and the seizure of approximately $100,000 cash; approximately 700 grams of cocaine; marijuana; various pills, including alprazolam and hydrocodone; and assorted drug paraphernalia, including a kilo press, cutting agents, cell phones, digital scales and packaging materials.
The defendants arrested in connection with the search warrants are as follows:
- Kevin Becker, 30 of Montauk, pleaded guilty to Conspiracy in the Fourth Degree, an E felony, on August 28. He is scheduled to be sentenced on October 31.
- John DeMelio, 32, of Montauk, pleaded guilty to Conspiracy in the Fourth Degree, an E felony, on August 29. He will be sentenced at a later date.
- Thomas Harwood, 25, of Montauk, is charged with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Seventh Degree, an A misdemeanor.
- Louis Madariaga-Medina, 31, of Montauk, is charged with two counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Seventh Degree, an A misdemeanor.
- Israel Padilla-Rosas, 33, of Montauk, is charged with Criminal Possession of Marijuana in the Fourth Degree, an A misdemeanor.
- Nawar Qanbar, 32, of Montauk, is charged with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Seventh Degree, an A misdemeanor.
- Gilbert Rodriguez-Mendez, 41, of Montauk, is charged with Unlawful Possession of Marijuana.
- Bryan Ruiz-Sanchez, 22, of Montauk, is charged with Conspiracy in the Second Degree, a B felony.
- Alex Joel Tirado-Rivera, 32, of Montauk, is charged with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Seventh Degree, an A misdemeanor, and Unlawful Possession of Marijuana.
- John Valentin-Doherty, 30, of Montauk, is charged with seven counts of Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, a B felony.
- Bracklie Vargas-Gonzalez, 24, of Montauk, is charged with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Seventh Degree, an A misdemeanor, and Unlawful Possession of Marijuana.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney William Nash, of the Narcotics Bureau, and the Special Narcotics Unit.