HARRISBURG, PA — Thirteen people face felony charges in connection with an alleged cocaine-trafficking organization that made hundreds of trips from Ohio to Butler County over the past year, supplying cocaine and crack cocaine to dealers and buyers in western Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday said the charges, filed this week, include corrupt organizations, drug trafficking and related offenses. Five defendants were arrested in Ohio, while authorities continue efforts to apprehend others.
According to the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, investigators identified seven alleged upper-level dealers based in Youngstown, Ohio, who routinely traveled to Butler County to distribute cocaine and crack cocaine.
Authorities allege the organization supplied drugs directly to buyers and through intermediaries living in Butler County.
Investigators said the Pennsylvania-based dealers received compensation in cash or drugs.
The five Ohio-based defendants arrested this week were identified as Anthony “Ace” Chilton, Marquel “Money” Winphrie, Reinaldo Rosado Lizardi, Eddie “Ghost” Winphrie and Jumal McQueen.
Two additional Ohio-based defendants have been charged but were not publicly identified because authorities are still seeking them.
Six other defendants were identified as Jason White, Mylan Green, Daniel Morehead, Brittany Boring, Shaddi Shanaa and Donald Vargo.
The charges followed an investigation involving the Attorney General’s Bureau of Narcotics Investigation, Pennsylvania State Police, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Butler County District Attorney’s Office and Butler City Police Department.
The investigation also included proceedings before a statewide investigative grand jury.
“This criminal organization made routine — sometimes daily — trips into Pennsylvania to distribute poisons into our communities,” Sunday said. “Working with our partners, these arrests effectively shut down a major cocaine trafficking pipeline.”
U.S. Marshals are assisting authorities in locating and apprehending defendants who remain at large.
The Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General’s Drug Strike Force Section will prosecute the cases.
All suspects, arrestees, and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Support the local news that supports Chester County. MyChesCo delivers reliable, fact-based reporting and essential community resources—free for everyone. If you value that, click here to become a patron today.