(File Photo)

PITTSBURGH, Pa. – Seventeen individuals from Lawrence County, Pennsylvania; Puerto Rico; and  Youngstown, Ohio, have been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh for violating federal  narcotics, firearms, and racketeering laws, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.  The defendants were charged in two Indictments that were unsealed today and allege that, between  September 2022 and March 2024, the defendants conspired to distribute cocaine throughout Western  Pennsylvania, specifically in the New Castle area, as well as in Youngstown, Ohio.  

 As alleged in the Indictments, members of the two charged groups would transport, either by  person or mail, drugs from Puerto Rico to Western Pennsylvania, Ohio, and elsewhere to distribute those drugs as part of an ongoing illicit business enterprise. Two of the defendants, Daniel Feliciano  and Markus Hobel, allegedly possessed firearms in furtherance of the drug trafficking. Another  defendant, Jamie Klinesmith, allegedly possessed with intent to distribute a significant quantity of  methamphetamine. 

A complete list of the defendants, charges, and maximum penalties is included at the bottom  of this release. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based  upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of each defendant. 

“Today’s indictments represent an important step toward dismantling a multi-state drug  trafficking operation that brought significant quantities of cocaine from Puerto Rico to Western  Pennsylvania and our neighbors in Ohio,” said U.S. Attorney Olshan. “Together with our federal,  state, and local law enforcement partners, we will continue to work collaboratively to keep our  communities safe from drug traffickers and, in particular, those who choose to carry firearms in  connection with their drug dealing.”  

“Joint investigations that involve federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies working  together as part of the HIDTA and OCDETF programs are what lead to successful cases and  significant indictments, as is the case here,” said Thomas Hodnett, Special Agent in Charge of the  Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Philadelphia Field Division. “These individuals are  accused of trafficking cocaine, methamphetamine, and firearms from outside the continental United  States, specifically Puerto Rico, to right here in Western Pennsylvania. I commend the efforts of all  the agencies involved.”  

Assistant United States Attorney Carl J. Spindler is prosecuting this case on behalf of the  United States. 

The Drug Enforcement Administration, Lawrence County High Intensity Drug Trafficking  Area (HIDTA) Drug Task Force, and United States Postal Inspection Service led the investigation  resulting in the Indictments in this case, with significant assistance from the New Castle Police  Department, Ellwood City Police Department, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Internal Revenue  Service – Criminal Investigation, Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, Pennsylvania State  Police, Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, and United States Department of Agriculture.  

Lawrence County is one of six Western Pennsylvania counties officially designated as a High  Intensity Drug Trafficking Area by the White House’s Office of National Drug Control Policy. The  county received its HIDTA designation in July 2022, allowing it to receive dedicated federal  resources to coordinate federal, state, and local governments in fighting drug trafficking and abuse.  

This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF)  investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money  launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using  a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal,  state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks. 

An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.  

List of Defendants 

Feliciano Indictment: 

Name	Age	Place of   Residence	Charges	Maximum   Penalty
Daniel Feliciano	47	New Castle,  PA	Conspiracy to distribute and  possess with intent to distribute  five kilograms or more of cocaine	Life   imprisonment
			Possession with intent to   distribute and distribution of a  quantity of cocaine on various  dates	20 years’   imprisonment
			Possession of a firearm in  furtherance of a drug trafficking  crime	Life   imprisonment
Luciano Bratini   Rivera	36	New Castle,  PA	Conspiracy to distribute and  possess with intent to distribute  five kilograms or more of cocaine	Life   imprisonment
			Possession with intent to distribute  and distribution of a quantity of  cocaine on various dates	20 years’   imprisonment
Antonio Bernacett  Rodriguez	39	Barceloneta,  Puerto Rico	Conspiracy to distribute and  possess with intent to distribute  five kilograms or more of cocaine	Life   imprisonment
			Interstate travel or transmission in  aid of racketeering	Five years’   imprisonment

 

Name	Age	Place of   Residence	Charges	Maximum   Penalty
Jean Sanchez Tulla	37	Florida,   Puerto Rico	Conspiracy to distribute and  possess with intent to distribute  five kilograms or more of cocaine	Life   imprisonment
			Interstate travel or transmission in  aid of racketeering	Five years’   imprisonment
Ruben Noel   Sanchez	28	Youngstown,  Ohio	Conspiracy to distribute and  possess with intent to distribute  five kilograms or more of cocaine	Life   imprisonment
Jamie Klinesmith	39	Ellwood   City, PA	Conspiracy to distribute and  possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine	40 years’   imprisonment
			Possession with intent to distribute  500 grams or more of  methamphetamine	Life   imprisonment
Amanda Kelosky	37	Ellwood   City, PA	Conspiracy to distribute and  possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine	40 years’   imprisonment
Thomas James   Myers	45	Ellwood   City, PA	Conspiracy to distribute and  possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine	40 years’   imprisonment
Roberto Muniz   Sanchez	45	Rochester,   PA	Conspiracy to distribute and  possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine	40 years’   imprisonment
Rubel Sanchez	21	Youngstown,  Ohio	Conspiracy to distribute and  possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine	40 years’   imprisonment
Markus Hobel	34	New Castle,  PA	Conspiracy to distribute and  possess with intent to distribute a  quantity of cocaine	20 years’   imprisonment
			Possession of a firearm in  furtherance of a drug trafficking  crime	Life   imprisonment
Dorothy Myers	41	New Castle,  PA	Conspiracy to distribute and  possess with intent to distribute a  quantity of cocaine	20 years’   imprisonment
Lindsay Ostrom	37	Ellwood   City, PA	Conspiracy to distribute and  possess with intent to distribute a  quantity of cocaine	20 years’   imprisonment
Glenn Samuels	32	New Castle,  PA	Conspiracy to distribute and  possess with intent to distribute a  quantity of cocaine	20 years’   imprisonment

 

Tulla Torres Indictment:  

Name	Age	Place of   Residence	Charges	Maximum   Penalty
Kevin Tulla Torres	28	New Castle,  PA	Conspiracy to distribute and  possess with intent to distribute  five kilograms or more of cocaine	Life   imprisonment
			Possession with intent to   distribute and distribution of a  quantity of cocaine	20 years’   imprisonment
Luis Rivera Otero	37	New Castle,  PA	Conspiracy to distribute and  possess with intent to distribute  500 grams or more of cocaine	40 years’   imprisonment
Franchely Shymko  Vazquez	31	New Castle,  PA	Conspiracy to distribute and  possess with intent to distribute  500 grams or more of cocaine	40 years’   imprisonment

 

### 

FILE – A sign on the sidewalk outside an antique store in Spartansburg, Pa., on Feb. 29, 2024. Shawn C. Cranston, accused of killing a pregnant Amish woman in her rural home last month was expected to be in a courtroom on Friday, March 14, where a Pennsylvania judge will consider whether investigators have sufficient evidence to advance the charges toward trial. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, file)

MEADVILLE, Pa. (AP) — A truck driver accused of killing a pregnant Amish woman in her rural home is headed to a Pennsylvania courthouse for a preliminary hearing. A Pennsylvania judge on Friday will consider whether investigators have sufficient evidence against 52-year-old Shawn Cranston to advance the charges toward trial. He is accused of killing 23-year-old Rebekah Byler and her unborn child inside the Byler home near Spartansburg in February. The hearing in the Crawford County Courthouse is to determine if there is enough evidence to support those charges, as well as accusations of burglary and trespassing. Cranston’s lawyer has not responded to messages and the chief prosecutor has declined to discuss the case.

Pittsburgh Penguins’ Evgeni Malkin (71) celebrates after his goal during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the San Jose Sharks in Pittsburgh, Thursday, March 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

PITTSBURGH (AP) — John Ludvig and Rickard Rakell scored two minutes apart in the third period and the Pittsburgh Penguins pulled away from the San Jose Sharks for a 6-3 win. Evgeni Malkin, Bryan Rust, Jeff Carter Noel Acciari also scored for Pittsburgh, which won for the first time since dealing star winger Jake Guentzel to the Hurricanes at the trade deadline last week. Tristan Jarry made 30 saves for the Penguins, who were outscored 17-2 during their losing streak. Fabian Zetterlund, Marc-Edouard Vlasic and Klim Kostin scored for San Jose, which lost for the 11th time in 12 games. Magnus Chrona stopped 25 shots.

FILE – Former President Donald Trump speaks at the National Rifle Association Convention in Indianapolis, on April 14, 2023.(AP Photo/Michael Conroy, File)

FORT PIERCE, Fla. (AP) — Donald Trump listened in court as his lawyers urged a federal judge to dismiss the criminal case accusing the former president of illegally retaining classified documents after he left the White House. U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon heard arguments Thursday over whether a law that underpins the bulk of the charges is too vaguely worded to enforce against a former president. Cannon asked probing questions of both sides and didn’t immediately rule on Trump’s bid to throw out the case before ever reaching a jury. More arguments are expected later Thursday.

HARRISBURG — In response to Gov. Josh Shapiro’s proposed energy plan, released today, March 13, in Scranton, Reps. Tim O’Neal (R-Washington) and Josh Kail (R-Beaver/Washington) issued the following statement:

“Once again, Gov. Shapiro is pushing extreme California policies that will cost Pennsylvanians more. After campaigning on pulling out of RGGI, Gov. Shapiro is pushing another outrageous energy tax. There are many things wrong with this proposal, from rolling blackouts to massive job loss, but the most egregious thing is this cap and tax program that will increase electric bills for every Pennsylvanian. Pennsylvania cannot afford more failed Shapiro policies. We stand against ANOTHER Shapiro tax increase.”

A freshly decorated Key Lime pie rests on a counter in a busy bakery kitchen at Michele’s Pies, Wednesday, March 13, 2024, in Norwalk, Conn. Math enthusiasts and bakers celebrate Pi Day on March 14 or 3/14, the first three digits of a mathematical constant with many practical uses. Around the world many people will mark the day with a slice of sweet or savory pie. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

College students, rocket scientists and math enthusiasts around the world are celebrating Pi Day. The holiday is on Thursday, March 14 since 3/14 correlates to the first three digits of the infinite number. It’s also Albert Einstein’s birthday, making the pie eaten at Pi Day gatherings all the sweeter. Pi is a mathematical constant that expresses the ratio of a circle’s circumference to its diameter. It is part of many formulas useful in physics, astronomy, engineering and other fields, dating back thousands of years to ancient Egypt and Babylon.

Beaver County Radio News Staff. Published March 14, 2024 2:34 P.M.

(Crescent Township, Pa) The Department of Environmental Protection in Pittsburgh is cooperating with the Allegheny County Fire Marshal in the investigation of the home explosion that took place Tuesday in Crescent Township that claimed the lives of a couple living in the home.

A press release was issued from Lauren Camrda from the DEP Communications Office  and they cannot speculate on the possible cause. DEP’s role in the investigation will include inspections of nearby oil and gas wells and infrastructure, including a search for unregistered home use wells in the vicinity. DEP’s investigation will establish a soil gas monitoring network to track possible methane migration through the subsurface. The nearest registered oil or gas wells are more than 2,500 feet away from the incident site, however there are two unregistered historic wells in closer proximity to the home.

Residents with home use wells are encouraged to make sure they are registered with DEP to ensure that they are being operated safely. Residents with questions about home use wells or wishing to ensure a well is registered should contact the DEP Office of Oil and Gas Management at 717-772-2199 or by email.

FILE – United States Steel’s Edgar Thomson Plant in Braddock, Pa. is shown on Feb. 26, 2019. U.S. Steel, the Pittsburgh steel producer that played a key role in the nation’s industrialization, is being acquired by Nippon Steel in an all-cash deal valued at approximately $14.1 billion. The transaction is worth about $14.9 billion when including the assumption of debt. Nippon, which will pay $55 per share for U.S. Steel, said Monday, Dec. 18, 2023 that the deal will bolster its manufacturing and technology capabilities. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden is opposing the planned sale of U.S. Steel to Nippon Steel of Japan, saying the U.S. needs “strong American steel companies powered by American steel workers.” The announcement Thursday comes as the Democratic president campaigns in the Midwest and could have ripples in his race against Republican Donald Trump. Nippon Steel announced in December it plans to buy the Pittsburgh-based steel producer for $14 billion in cash. That raised concerns within the federal government about what the transaction could mean for unionized workers, supply chains and U.S. national security. Nippon Steel promises no job losses and says it’s committed to keeping U.S. Steel’s Pittsburgh headquarters.

Story by Sandy Giordano – Beaver County Radio. Published March 13, 2024 2:14 P.M.

(Aliquippa, Pa) A Pitt student has organized a fundraiser for Juan Hall’s dog Mazie  who was attacked with a hatchet causing injury to the dog’s ear and other injuries last month. The incident occurred at the corner of Main Street and Maratta Road at a school bus stop in February. David Askew, of Aliquippa is in the Beaver County Jail on felony and misdemeanor charges connected with the attack. The fundraiser will be held at the Marathon Gas Station on Brodhead Road in Aliquippa from noon to 6 pm on Saturday, March 16.

SCRANTON, Pa. (AP) — Gov. Josh Shapiro is unveiling a plan to fight climate change. Shapiro says he’ll back legislation to make power plant owners in Pennsylvania pay for their planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions. The plan would also require utilities to buy more electricity from renewable sources. Shapiro made the announcement Wednesday in Scranton. Such legislation would make Pennsylvania the first major fossil fuel-producing state to adopt a carbon-pricing program. However, it is likely to draw fierce opposition from business interests wary of paying more for power and will face long odds in a Legislature that is protective of the natural gas industry. Shapiro’s proposal comes as environmentalists are pressuring him to do more to fight climate change.