11th Man Charged In South Jersey Drug Ring: Authorities

An 11th South Jersey resident has been arraigned for their role in a large scale drug trafficking ring, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced on Wednesday. Davon Leak, 19, of Camden, is charged in a second superseding indictment with one count of conspiracy to distribute 280 grams or more of cocaine base as well as quantities of heroin and furanyl fentanyl.

He was arraigned on Wednesday and was remanded to the custody of Camden County, where he is being held on other charges. Leak was charged in the federal indictment following the arrests of 10 other members of the drug ring in June of last year.

John Gunther, 34, of Blackwood; Mark Campbell, 28, of Sicklerville; George Williams, 42 of Haddon Township; and Taleaf Gunther, 31, William Roland, 35, Daron Suiter, 23, Karim Johnson, 38, Latoya Whealton, 32, Malcolm McCoy, 27, and Rajai Gaines, 33, all of Camden, were previously charged by complaint with one count of drug trafficking conspiracy.

John Gunther and Taleaf Gunther are the alleged leaders and managers of the operation. They obtained large amounts of the drugs and readied them to be sold on the streets, according to documents filed in the case and statements made in court. Campbell is accused of supplying bulk quantities of crack cocaine to members of the organization.

They are accused of providing crack cocaine and heroin to other members of the group to be sold to customers. They also collected the money and oversaw the daily sales and operation of the organization, according to authorities.

The FBI-led investigation made use of surveillance, confidential informants, cooperating witnesses, more than 20 controlled drug purchases, record checks, a GPS vehicle tracker, and multiple telephone wiretaps to uncover the operations of the drug trafficking organization. The investigation ultimately led to the seizure of over 300 grams of crack cocaine, quantities of furanyl fentanyl and heroin, a firearm, and drug paraphernalia.

The drug conspiracy charge with which Leak is charged carries a mandatory minimum term of 10 years in prison, a maximum potential penalty of life in prison, and a $10 million fine.

On March 26, Johnson and Suiter pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 28 grams or more of cocaine base. They also admitted to distributing furanyl fentanyl to customers in Camden. They both face a mandatory minimum term of five years in prison when they are sentenced on July 10.

On March 12, Williams pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute furanyl fentanyl. His sentencing is scheduled for June 18.

On March 5, Whealton pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 28 grams or more of cocaine base. She also accepted responsibility for distributing furanyl fentanyl and heroin to customers in Camden. She faces a mandatory minimum term of five years in prison at her sentencing on June 11.

The charges against John Gunther, Taleaf Gunther, Roland, Campbell, McCoy, Leak, and Gaines are still pending and they are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

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