Accused leader will face trial in December

On November 20, 2024By Pranco

The accused leader of what state investigators say was a drug and gun smuggling ring in Erie and Crawford counties will appear in court in December to face charges as most of his 12 co-defendants in the case have waived charges the complaint in a higher court.

The ring’s alleged head, 26-year-old Erie resident Quran Lindsey-Cooley, remains in Erie County Prison on $250,000 bond as he awaits his preliminary hearing on Dec. 18, according to court records. He faces 33 criminal charges, including offenses of corrupt organizations, possession with intent to supply, and dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity.

Co-defendant Kaelesha Johnson, 28, of Erie, is also scheduled to appear in court on Dec. 18, according to court records. She faces eight charges, including misdemeanor charges of possession with intent to deliver and criminal use of a communication device.

Pennsylvania Attorney General Michelle Henry in mid-May revealed the criminal investigation in the alleged drug and gun ring and a statewide grand jury’s recommendation to file charges against the 13 suspects. Investigators accused Lindsey-Cooley and another Erie resident, 26-year-old Daymeon D. Duck, of coordinating the alleged operation by inducing others to sell fentanyl/heroin and methamphetamine and supplying them with weapons.

The Office of Attorney General of PennsylvaniaAccording to Henry’s office, the Bureau of Narcotics Investigation and Drug Control and state and local law enforcement were involved in the investigation that led to the initiation of grand jury proceedings in 2022.

The most recent hearings in the case took place on November 8. Duck, who faced 38 criminal charges, waived court on misdemeanor counts of corrupt organizations and conspiracy to commit receiving stolen property and a misdemeanor count of possession of a controlled substance, according to court records.

Also on November 8, 36-year-old McKean resident Kevin M. Carter Jr., who faced 14 charges in the investigation, waived trial on receiving stolen property and two firearms charges; and 27-year-old Erie resident Tykeem S. Craig, who also faced 14 charges, waived court on one misdemeanor charge of criminal use of a communications facility, according to court records.

Carter, Craig, Lindsey-Cooley and Duck were among six of the defendants accused by state drug agents of participating in a corrupt organization. The other seven co-defendants were charged with drug offenses related to the case.

Two of the suspects had not yet been arraigned as of Tuesday on charges filed against them in May.

Contact Tim Hahn at [email protected]. Follow him on X @ETNhahn.