Montgomery County, PA

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NOVEMBER 18, 2009

 

 

 

"Operation Cornbread": Arrests of Eight (8) Suspects for Conducting a Cocaine Trafficking Corrupt Organization in Montgomery County

 

 

Montgomery County District Attorney Risa Vetri Ferman, along with Norristown Police Chief Russell Bono, Plymouth Police Chief Joseph Lawrence, Montgomery County Correctional Facility Warden Julio Algarin, Upper Dublin Police Chief Terrence Thompson, Lower Providence Police Chief Francis Carroll III, Hatboro Police Chief James Gardner, Upper Merion Police Chief Ronald Fonock, West Norriton Police Chief Robert Adams, and Pennsylvania State Police Captain David Young report the arrests of eight (8) suspects for conducting a cocaine trafficking Corrupt Organization in Montgomery County.

The investigation of Dontay Brewer, aka:  “Cornbread” and “Bread”, and his Corrupt Organization was initiated by the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office, Narcotics Enforcement Team (NET) in the summer of 2009, after information revealed a violent group of armed individuals were selling cocaine in Norristown Borough, Upper Merion Township and Plymouth Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.  This case became a high priority due to public safety concerns. 

 

Two seemingly separate groups of targets were investigated.  The results of those cases were made public when search warrants were executed and arrests were made:

 

1. Darnell Goudy and Romell Goudy were arrested on August 7, 2009 after law enforcement seized a total of twenty (20) ounces of cocaine from their residences.  The street value of this quantity of cocaine is $56,700.

 

2. Charles Barksdale, Raymond Powell, Asmar Gary, Victor Johnson, Sheena Medley, Kenneth Thomas, and Erika Powell were arrested on September 17, 2009 after law enforcement seized a total of 140 grams of cocaine, six loaded handguns and a loaded SKS Assault rifle (with grenade launcher).  The street value of the cocaine is $14,000. 

 

Detectives learned their suspected source of cocaine supply, Dontay Brewer (aka “Cornbread” and “Bread”), continued to conduct his drug trafficking business despite those significant arrests.  Law enforcement also determined that “Cornbread” was responsible for supplying 70 percent of the cocaine in Norristown.

 

Therefore, the Montgomery County District Attorney decided to employ the use of “Wiretapping and Electronic Surveillance” to dismantle Dontay Brewer’s remaining Corrupt Organization. 

 

District Attorney Risa Vetri Ferman received permission from the Pennsylvania Superior Court to intercept the cell phones of both Brewer and his right hand man, Norristown resident Craig Cole.   These interceptions and the diligent police work conducted by NET, the Montgomery Drug Task Force and other local police departments resulted in the take down of Brewer’s cocaine trafficking business and its plague on our streets and in our neighborhoods.

 

The wiretap interceptions began on October 9, 2009 and concluded on October 26, 2009 when 9 sealed search warrants were executed which included several locations in Norristown Borough.  Upon execution of the search warrants, detectives seized more than 700 grams of cocaine with a street value of $70,000; $17,000 in cash; twenty-four (24) fictitiously subscribed cellular telephones; drug paraphernalia used for the packaging and distribution of cocaine; and a industrial size “Vulcanizer” Press used by drug dealers to press hardened bricks of cocaine.

 

Detectives located “Cornbread’s” primary “stash house” at 235 East Chestnut Street, Norristown, which is the residence of Craig Cole.  When detectives entered that location, they discovered Cole was throwing cocaine out the third floor window. The cocaine was recovered and weighed approximately 700 grams.  This large quantity of cocaine has a street value of $70,000. Cole was placed under arrest.

 

The following were charged with Corrupt Organization and Violations of the Drug Act:

 

1. Dontay Brewer, 1015 W. Beech Street, Apt B-7, Norristown,  PA 19401;

 

2. Craig Cole, 235 East Chestnut Street, Norristown, PA 19401;

 

3. Rashaun Mahario Aponte, 106 West Elm Street, Norristown,  PA 19401;

 

4. Damien Solomon, 47 East Spruce Street, Norristown, PA  19401;

 

5. Simeon Spence, 819 Smith Street, Norristown, PA 19401;

 

6. Chad Ames, 409 Forrest Avenue, Norristown, PA 19401;

 

7. Charles Matthews, 1826 Arch Street, Apartment 1-B,  Norristown, PA 19401;

 

8. Mary Payne, 1521 West Main Street, Apartment E-2,  Norristown, PA 19401;

 

The defendants will be arraigned today at 2:30 p.m. before District Judge Francis J. Lawrence, District Court 38-1-15, 200 West Main Street, Norristown, PA 19401.

 

Approved for Release:

 

 

 

RISA VETRI FERMAN