Huntington County Heroin Suspects Arrested
Friday, October 31, 2014
HARRISBURG PA (October 28, 2014)- Attorney General Kathleen G. Kane today announced additional arrests in an ongoing investigation into the distribution of heroin in and around Huntington County.
In April 2014, agents from the Attorney General's Bureau of Narcotics Investigations arrested alleged New York City heroin supplier Luis Bernal, his girlfriend Jacquita Kiernan and alleged Huntington County distributor Beth Harms following a series of controlled purchases and search warrants. Bernal, Kiernan and Harms were charged with violations of the Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act and remanded to Centre County Prison.
Following those arrests investigators presented evidence and testimony to a statewide investigating grand jury, which recommended additional charges against Bernal, Kiernan and Harms, as well as charges against alleged distributors Aaron Dimoff, Ricky Sheeler Jr. and Barry Carl for their role in Bernal's drug trafficking organization.
According to the grand jury, Bernal and his organization were responsible for distributing approximately 1,000 grams of heroin over a 16-month period beginning November 2012.
Bernal is charged with four counts of possession with intent to deliver heroin, one count of criminal conspiracy to possess with intent to deliver heroin, one count of criminal use of a communication facility, two counts of corrupt organizations and one count of dealing in unlawful proceeds.
Kiernan and Harms each are charged with one count of possession with intent to deliver heroin, one count of criminal conspiracy to possess with intent to deliver heroin, one count of criminal use of a communication facility, two counts of corrupt organizations and one count dealing in unlawful proceeds.
Aaron Dimoff, 37, 33 Wisteria Lane, McVeytown, Mifflin County; Ricky Sheeler Jr., 33, currently incarcerated in the Huntingdon County Prison; and Barry Carl, 51, 34 Birch St., Mount Union, Huntingdon County, each are charged with one countofpossession with intent to deliver heroin and one count criminal conspiracy to possess with intent to deliver heroin.
Attorney General Kane thanked the officers from the Pennsylvania State Police Huntingdon Barracks and the Huntingdon County Drug Task Force for their participation in the investigation.
The Office of Attorney General recently unveiled a new initiative to fight the scourge of illegal drugs in communities across the Commonwealth. Individuals who have witnessed a drug deal in their neighborhood or suspect illegal drug activity where they live or work can send an anonymous tip to the Office of Attorney General by texting PADRUGS + YOUR TIP to 847411. Tips can also be submitted electronically .
The cases will be prosecuted by Senior Deputy Attorney General Dave Gorman of the Attorney General's Drug Strike Force Section with assistance from Huntingdon County District Attorney Dave Smith's office.
(A person charged with a crime is presumed innocent until proven guilty.)
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Bernal heroin trafficking organization
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