Shinnecock Drug Ring Sold $1M In Heroin, Fentanyl Yearly: DA

SOUTHAMPTON, NY — The takedown of an drug distribution ring operating primarily on and near the Shinnecock Reservation has resulted in 24 arrests, Suffolk County District Attorney Tim Sini said Thursday.

The investigation began in December 2018 following an uptick of criminal activity on the reservation, including an increase in firearm violence, narcotics possession and sales, and fatal heroin overdoses both on and near the reservation, Sini said.

The investigation involved the use of routine surveillance, electronic surveillance, and court-authorized eavesdropping, among other strategies.

The investigation revealed evidence that the drug distribution ring was responsible for selling more than $1 million worth of heroin cut with fentanyl each year in addition to quantities of cocaine, oxycodone pills, and marijuana — the drug ring is also allegedly linked to five fatal heroin overdoses, Sini said.

William Bess III, 35, of Southampton, purchased large quantities of heroin and cocaine and resold the drugs to people on the Shinnecock Reservation and others, Sini said. Johnnie Booker, 35, of Bellport, was identified as his alleged supplier of cocaine, Sini said.

The investigation also revealed evidence that Justin Eleazer, 29, of Southampton, and Ryan Kellis, 32, of Southampton, conspired to distribute heroin and cocaine to members of the Shinnecock Reservation and other residents of the Southampton area, Sini said.

Both Eleazer and Kellis used other members of the organization to test the heroin they were selling to ensure its potency and determine its value, Sini said.

Narcotics suppliers included Benjamin Diaz, 47, of the Bronx, and Kenneth Rivero, 34, of Riverhead, Sini said.

Law enforcement personnel executed search warrants at five locations related to the investigation Thursday, resulting in the seizure of approximately 120 grams of heroin and fentanyl, 90 grams of cocaine, more than 10 pounds of marijuana, an assault weapon, numerous shotguns and rifles, and drug paraphernalia, including materials consistent with drug packaging, scales, grinders, and cutting agents, Sini said.

Arrested, Sini said, were:

- Ryan Aldrich, 27, of East Hampton, was charged with second degree conspiracy, a felony, Sini said. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of eight and one-third to 25 years in prison.

- William I. Bess III, 35, of Southampton, was charged with fourth degree conspiracy, a felony; third degree criminal sale of a controlled substance, a felony; and third degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a felony, Sini said. If convicted of the top count, he faces a maximum sentence of 12 years in prison.

- Johnnie Booker, 45, of Bellport, was charged with fourth degree conspiracy, a felony; two counts of third degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a felony; and third degree criminal possession of a weapon, Sini said. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 12 years in prison.

- Max Byrne, 30, of Southampton, was charged with second degree conspiracy, a felony, Sini said. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 12 and one-half to 25 years in prison.

- Benjamin Diaz, 47, of the Bronx, was charged with operating as a major trafficker, an A1 felony, and second degree conspiracy, a felony, Sini said. If convicted of the top count, he faces a maximum sentence of 25 years to life in prison.

- Joseph Dowling, 27, of Sag Harbor, was charged with second degree conspiracy, a felony; third degree criminal sale of a controlled substance, a felony; and third degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a felony, Sini said. If convicted of the top count, he faces a maximum sentence of 12 and one-half to 25 years in prison.

- Justin Eleazer, 29, of Southampton, was charged with operating as a major yrafficker; an A1 felony, second degree conspiracy, a felony; and driving while intoxicated, Sini said. If convicted of the top count, he faces a maximum sentence of 25 years to life in prison.

- Brandon Gardner, 33, of Southampton, was charged with second degree conspiracy, a felony, Sini said. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of eight and one-third to 25 years in prison.

- Edward Gumbs, 57, of Southampton, was charged with second degree conspiracy, a felony, Sini said. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 12 and one-half to 25 years in prison.

- Thomas Halek, 49, of Hampton Bays, was charged with second degree conspiracy, a felony, Sini said. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 12 and one-half to 25 years in prison.

- Trevor Hardin, 29, of Flanders, was charged with second degree criminal possession of a weapon, a C violent felony; third degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a felony; and first degree criminal possession of marijuana, a felony, Sini said. If convicted of the top count, he faces a maximum sentence of up to 15 years in prison.

- Ryan Kellis, 32, of Southampton, was charged with operating as a major trafficker, an A1 felony; second degree conspiracy, a felony; four counts of third degree criminal sale of a controlled substance, a felony; and six counts of third degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a felony, Sini said. If convicted of the top count, he faces a maximum sentence of 25 years to life in prison.

- Matthew Manzella, 30, of Hampton Bays, was charged with second degree conspiracy, a felony, Sini said. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 12 and one-half to 25 years in prison.

- Walter Mims, 33, of Southampton, was charged with second degree conspiracy, a felony, Sini said. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 12 and one-half to 25 years in prison.

- Derrick Quinn, 49, of Southampton, was charged with second degree conspiracy, a felony, Sini said. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of eight and one-third to 25 years in prison.

- Valton Reddick, 51, of Southampton, was charged with second degree conspiracy, a felony, Sini said. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of eight and one-third to 25 years in prison.

- Kenneth Rivero, 34, of Flanders, was charged with second degree conspiracy, a felony; second degree criminal possession of a weapon, a C violent felony; and first degree criminal possession of marijuana, a felony, Sini said. If convicted of the top count, he faces a maximum sentence of eight and one-third to 25 years in prison.

- Nichole Rosado, 29, of Southampton, was charged with second degree conspiracy, a felony, Sini . said. If convicted, she faces a maximum sentence of eight and one-third to 25 years in prison.

- Richard Short, 50, of Southampton, was charged with second degree conspiracy, a felony, Sini said. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of eight and one-third to 25 years in prison.

- Nicholas Spiegel, 32, of Hampton Bays, was charged with second degree conspiracy, a felony, Sini said. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of eight and one-third to 25 years in prison.

- Frank Taylor, 59, of Southampton, was charged with second degree conspiracy, a felony, Sini said. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 12 and one-half to 25 years in prison.

- John Tracey, 25, of East Hampton, was charged with second degree conspiracy, a felony, Sini said. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 12 and one-half to 25 years in prison.

Two additional defendants are in custody on unrelated charges and will be charged in connection with the drug distribution ring, Sini said.

“For far too long, criminals have attempted to evade law enforcement and hide on the Shinnecock Reservation, terrorizing the law-abiding citizens of the Shinnecock Nation by selling drugs and committing various acts of violence, but that ends today,” Sini said.

“These arrests are the result of hard work and determination by our law enforcement partners,” added New York State Police Superintendent Keith M. Corlett. “Every day we see the impact these harmful substances have on families, neighborhoods, and communities. We pledge to continue to work tirelessly, to make sure individuals who are at the root of this illegal activity are held accountable, and the dangerous narcotics and crimes stay away from our streets.”

Suffolk County Police Commissioner Geraldine Hart lauded the collaborative efforts. “We will continue to put our resources into fighting the opioid epidemic and focus on taking the dealers, who are fueling the spread of narcotics, off our streets," she said.

“I am really proud of the teamwork on this investigation,” Suffolk County Sheriff Errol D. Toulon, Jr. said. “We’re fortunate to have such a capable multi-agency team working together to rid our communities of this poison. These drug traffickers are a scourge on society and the defendants will be now held accountable for their crimes.”

The Southampton Town Police Department, said Southampton Police Chief Steven Skrynecki, participates with the East End Drug Task Force and recognizes the investigation as a major step to mitigate the flow of dangerous and potentially deadly drugs to members of the Shinnecock Reservation and neighboring communities. “We are committed to the fight against illegal drug trafficking while providing awareness, education and treatment to those who are or may become addicted to dangerous drugs," he said.

Sini said the DA's office will be seeking a top charge of operating as a major trafficker for several more of the defendants, which is a class A-1 felony that carries a maximum sentence of 25 years to life in prison.