Two Robinson Residents Named in Prescription Drug Indictment

Two Robinson Township men are among a dozen individuals indicted in relation to a prescription drug ring operation in Allegheny and Beaver counties, the U.S. Attorney's Office in Pittsburghy announced Tuesday. 

“These indictments charge participants at all levels of a western Pennsylvania oxycodone and Opana distribution ring - from the leader, to the prescription thief, to the pharmacy burglars, to the runners who presented the fake prescriptions to be filled,”  said U.S. Attorney David Hickton.

“Dismantling these operations continues to be a priority of this office as we endeavor to address the prescription drug abuse epidemic. As this case illustrates, abuse of prescription pills can result in grave harm and death.”

Among those arrested are David Best, 27, and Wesley Weaver, 23, of both Graydon Drive, Robinson.

Best is charged with conspiring together and with others, from around December 2011 until May, to distribute and possess with intent to distribute oxycodone and oxymorphone, in the form known as Opana.

Best is also facing charges of distributing oxycodone and oxymorphone, in the form known as Opana, on May 8, 2012, April 18 and April 30.

Authorities said Best also faces a charge related to distributing both oxycodone and Opana on May 8, 2012, and a person known to the grand jury died as a result of his use of the drugs. 

Court documents show that Best, on or about June 20, 2012, used, carried, and brandished a firearm during a drug trafficking crime (the conspiracy).

On three occasions, Dec. 1, 2011, and Sept. 26-27, 2012, and Feb. 15, Best burglarized the MedFast pharmacy in Baden, Pa. and stole a number of controlled substances, including fentanyl, oxymorphone--in the form known as Opana--Ritalin, oxycodone--in the form of Oxycontin--methylphenidate, Vyvanse, morphine sulfate, Roxicet, Focalin, methylphenidate, hydromorphone, methadone, and meperidine. 

Best is charged with conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute the oxycodone and oxymorphone, and he's charged with heroin distribution. He faces up to 20 years in prison on each count, and fines of up to $1 million if convicted.

Others charged in the 12-count indictment of federal narcotics, firearms and burglary violations include:

• Matthew Moody, 24, of Economy, PA

• Jade Gagianas, 28, of New Sewickley Township, PA

• Katie Adams, 27, of Ambridge

• Andrew Brown, 23, of Eighty Four

• Ryan Raithel, 33, of McCandless

• Carlos Martinez, 26, of Ambridge

In a separate but related indictment, Weaver of Robinson was indicted on a charge of witness intimidation. Also named in the one-count indictment is:

• Natalie Moskorisin, 23, of Harmony Township, Beaver County

According to the indictment, Moskorisin and Weaver on June 6 knowingly intimidated and attempted to intimidate witnesses in the federal investigation and prosecution of David Best.  The two face up to 10 years in prison and a fine of $250,000.

Three additional people were indicted separately on charges of violating federal narcotic law, including:

Janna Gahagan, 29, of McCandless; Breanne McKee, 29, of Saxonburg, Pa., and Christopher Nugent, 34, also of McCandless. 

The three are charged with conspiring to obtain oxycodone by using a fraudulent prescription. Both face up to four years in prison and fines of $250,000 if convicted.

The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Economy and Cranberry Township police departments conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in these cases, the U.S. Attorney's office said.

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