Drugs and money seized in recent raids sit on a table as Lycoming County District Attorney Tom Marino talks about recent drug raids in the city. Marino mentioned that any drug dealer whose drugs can be linked to a death seeks the death penalty. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette
Lycoming County District Attorney Tom Marino said he will file first-degree murder charges against anyone who distributes deadly fentanyl and other illegal drugs that cause overdose deaths.
At a press conference on Thursday, Marino showed mug shots of two people recently arrested by police in possession of fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine and crack cocaine.
Marino held the mug shots of Nicholas Uzoma Etumnu, 36, of Philadelphia, and Anthony W. Stockman, 30, of Williamsport, who were recently arrested on drug charges, in both hands and looked sternly into the camera.
“I would like to draw your attention to two criminals who are dealing drugs in our community,” Marino said, adding that the recent arrests have allowed local law enforcement to keep thousands of bags of fentanyl, crack and methamphetamine off the streets of Williamsport and Greater Williamsport. Etumnu has been arrested before, arrest records show.
Marino seemed relaxed about the seizure of 6,500 bags of fentanyl during these arrests, but pointed out that there have been previous deaths from the drug in this jurisdiction.
Drugs and money seized in recent raids sit on a table as Lycoming County District Attorney Tom Marino talks about recent drug raids in the city. Marino mentioned that any drug dealer whose drugs can be linked to a death seeks the death penalty. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette
He said he would press charges of premeditated murder in one of the cases. The other case is currently being investigated as a murder case.
Marino reiterated what some headlines are loudly proclaiming: Fentanyl is produced in China, gets into the hands of the cartel in Mexico and crosses the border.
The conclusion of the conference couldn’t be clearer: If someone dies of a fentanyl overdose, Marino’s office, including assistant district attorneys, will charge the delivery person with first-degree murder.
In the Stockman case, the local post office played a key role in the arrest.
In this case a drug detection dog “Strike” on the package and officers seized the fentanyl and methamphetamine, Marino said.
Lycoming County District Attorney Tom Marino discusses recent drug raids in the city. Marino mentioned that any drug dealer whose drugs can be linked to a death is seeking the death penalty. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette
One of the dealers was in the process of selling 4,000 bags of fentanyl. Marino said it was 45 grams of fentanyl, or about 1,500 bags, with a street value of $15,000; 42 grams of cocaine with a street value of $4,200 and 25 grams of crack cocaine with a street value of $6,250. Etumnu remains incarcerated on $300,000 bail.
According to the affidavits, Stockman brought 5,000 bags of fentanyl with a street value of $50,000 and 99.2 grams of methamphetamine with a street value of $8,000.
“We will prosecute them ourselves,” Said Marino.
“Teamwork”, Tom Ungard, the county’s chief detective, said this was the process that led to these and other individuals who are still at large being caught and prosecuted.
The seized drugs were spread out on a table in the conference room.
Ungard said the office is working with the Drug Enforcement Administration, Pennsylvania State Police, Sheriff’s Office, U.S. Marshals Service, FBI, Williamsport Bureau of Police and local police departments.
“My people are out and about every day buying illegal drugs,” He said, adding that the controlled purchases were concentrated in Williamsport but also occurred throughout the county.
He pointed out how the police dogs “gives us probable cause”, so that officers can apply for a search warrant.
He said his agency’s mission is not just to prosecute crimes, but also to save families. “Save young people”, He said it was necessary not only to prevent dealers from selling the drugs, but also to prevent their use, prevent overdose deaths and prevent young people from spending life in state prison for selling the drugs.
Commissioner Mark Mussina thanked the police and law enforcement for their tireless work to reduce the amount of fentanyl and illegal drugs on the streets of Williamsport and the county. He thanked everyone on the front lines, from the District Attorney and his staff to the many law enforcement officers at all levels of government.
Commissioner Scott Metzger bluntly said he experienced this for 32 years as a member of the county’s adult probation department.
He said he has seen how illegal drugs like fentanyl have and continue to destroy lives and tear family structures apart. He also noted that the illegal sale and use of drugs leads to higher costs from shoplifting, which are passed on to the consumer.
