21 more people charged in federal prison drug smuggling ring

Tom Davidson | Tuesday, June 25, 2019 4:53 p.m.

A federal grand jury in Pittsburgh has indicted more people and added charges in an investigation into a prison drug smuggling ring that authorities dismantled in January.

“This drug trafficking organization, which consists largely of repeat offenders, peddled dangerous drugs in prisons and in our communities. If this type of conduct doesn’t demonstrate the need for tougher drug sentences, I don’t know what does,” U.S. Attorney Scott W. Brady said in a news release issued then.

The new indictment was returned by the grand jury June 18. It adds 21 people and two counts to the indictment returned in January.

Forty-six people are charged with conspiring to distribute drugs including cocaine, heroin, fentanyl, carfentanil, oxycodone and other substances.

Those with local ties include:

• Noah Landfried, Moon

• Dashawn Burley, Monroeville

• Michel Cercone, Sewickley

• Michael S. Frawley, Pittsburgh

• Christopher Gahagan, Ambridge

• Darren Martin, Aliquippa

• Harold Novick, Ambridge

• James Perry, Ambridge

• Terrell Williams, Pittsburgh

• Richard Wood, Pittsburgh

• Eugene Hall, West Mifflin

• Dorianne Harris, Homestead

• Andrea Hopes, Pittsburgh

• Richard Jasek, West Mifflin

• Seth Lindsey, Verona

• Dana Penney, Beaver County Jail

• Diassandai Serrano, North Versailles

• Anthony Smith, McKeesport

• Christian Stevens, Allegheny County Jail

• Sandra Wilson, McKees Rocks

Assistant United States Attorney Craig W. Haller is prosecuting the case, which was a multi-agency effort that included federal, state and local authorities.