22 charged in state, federal drug trafficking probe
NEW YORK — Seven members of a drug trafficking organization that distributed large quantities of crack cocaine, as well as heroin laced with fentanyl, over a two-year period, in and around the Village of Ellenville in Ulster County, New York were indicted federally following an investigation by ICE's Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) New York with the Ulster County Sheriff's Office, the New York State Police and the Village of Ellenville Police. Four Ellenville, New York, residents were arrested this morning for selling large amounts of crack cocaine in the Ellenville area as charged in an indictment returned last week by a federal grand jury. Three additional defendants charged in the indictment were arrested in December 2018 and January 2019. In coordination with today's federal arrests, the Ulster County District Attorney's Office is prosecuting an additional 15 people who were arrested for selling drugs in Ellenville.
"Naveo and his crew monopolized the drug game in the town of Ellenville and sold deadly fentanyl laced drugs, showing little regard for the life of users," said Angel M. Melendez, special agent in charge of HSI New York. "Relying on his criminal reputation, he intimidated any would be competitors to remain the only game in town. Today's arrests rids Ellenville of the organization that polluted their communities with dangerous drugs, and reflects HSI's commitment to work closely with the URGENT partners."
"Our efforts to protect our communities from drug dealers who peddle poison rely on teamwork. Thanks to federal, state, and local law enforcement cooperation, a group that sold deadly drugs in the Ellenville area will now be held accountable in the courts," stated United States Attorney for the Northern District of New York, Grant C. Jaquith.
"Interagency cooperation and shared resources between local, state and federal authorities are keys to keeping criminals at bay. Our communities need to be safe, today is a reminder of the combined effort of law enforcement to keep the peace," stated Ulster County Sheriff Juan Figueroa.
The federal defendants, all Ellenville residents, are charged with conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute and to distribute controlled substances, including crack cocaine and heroin mixed with fentanyl, and they face the following penalties:
Defendant | Age | Minimum | Maximum |
|---|---|---|---|
Antonio Naveo, aka "Gratto," aka "Green Eyes," | 38 | 10 years | Life |
Margaret Vandyke | 56 | 10 years | Life |
Iqwan Mandiville, aka "Qwan" | 26 | 5 years | 40 years |
Luis Curet | 33 | 5 years | 40 years |
Jennifer McCombs, aka "Jennifer Marks" | 49 | 5 years | 40 years |
Randy Mandiville, aka "B-Murda" | 30 | None | 20 years |
Edwin Jorge | 46 | None | 20 years |
Naveo is also charged with unlawful possession of a Mossberg shotgun as a previously convicted felon.
A defendant's sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors. The charges in the indictment are merely accusations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The federal and state cases are being investigated by HSI; the Ulster County Sheriff's Office in conjunction with URGENT, an inter-agency taskforce targeting drug dealers and gang members in Ulster County; the New York State Police; the Village of Ellenville Police; and the Ulster County District Attorney's Office, with assistance provided by the New York State Office of Disability and Temporary Assistance. The federal case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Emmet J. O'Hanlon.
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