Operation “Golden Horseshoe” Nets 40 in Joint Investigation with DOJ

Lamont M. Johnson

Antonio P. Holder

James J. Jones

Yusef L. Mathews

Sonia Chavez

Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Gary Fournier

Sussex County - A multi-jurisdictional investigation into the illegal drug trafficking organization involving multiple subjects conducted by the Delaware State Police and Delaware Department of Justice has concluded with the arrest or indictment of 40 individuals on over 190 criminal charges. This organization was responsible for the distribution of various amounts of cocaine and heroin in the last nine months.

Operation “Golden Horseshoe” concluded on June 14, 2017. The Sussex County Drug Unit and the Delaware Department of Justice organized and conducted this operation with the assistance of the Sussex County Governor’s Task Force, Kent and New Castle County Drug Units, Kent and New Castle County Governor’s Task Force, the Delaware State Police Special Operations Response Team (SORT), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Delaware Department of Corrections, Seaford Police Department, Georgetown Police Department, Delaware Probation and Parole, along with Delaware, Maryland, and New Jersey National Guard.  During this Operation, investigators used numerous investigative techniques to identify members involved in violent crime and the distribution of large amounts of Cocaine and Heroin in Sussex County.

Through the investigation, detectives were able to establish that the illegal drug trafficking organization headed by Lamont M. Johnson, Antonio P. Holder, James J. Jones, and Yusef L. Matthews, all whom have been charged with directing a significant cocaine and heroin network in western Sussex County, primarily the Coverdale area. Sonia E. Chavez(AKA – Maria Zakrociemski) was identified as organizing and distributing a significant quantity of heroin in the Oak Orchard and Long Neck areas.  The operation involved the execution of search warrants at 11 different residential locations throughout Sussex County which resulted in the arrest or indictment of 40 individuals on numerous drug and weapons offenses.

As a result of the investigation, eleven search and seizure warrants were approved by the Superior Court of Sussex County for the following locations:

• 11000 block of Evans Drive, Bridgeville
• 21000 block of Mill Park Drive, Bridgeville
• 20000 block of Booker T. Washington Street, Bridgeville
• 11000 block of Evans Drive, Bridgeville
• 21000 block of Mill Park Drive, Bridgeville
• 21000 block of Mill Park Drive, Bridgeville
• 21000 block of Mill Park Drive, Bridgeville
• 400 block of Elizabeth Cornish Landing, Bridgeville
• 30000 block of Mount Joy Road, Millsboro
• 26000 block of Bay Farm Road, Millsboro
• 30702 Sussex Highway, Relax Inn, Laurel

The total seizure amount during the investigation is listed as follows:

• $156,124.00 in suspected drug proceeds
• 278.95 grams of powder cocaine
• 12.15 grams of crack cocaine
• 2262 bags of Heroin(15.834 grams)
• 157.52 grams of marijuana
• Glock 9mm pistol
• Various items of stolen property were also recovered.

The below subjects were linked and charged with the following crimes:

Lamont M. Johnson, 38 of Bridgeville: Possession with Intent to Deliver (PWITD) a Controlled Substance in Tier 4 quantity; Possesses a controlled substance in a Tier 5 quantity; Conspiracy 2nd (6 counts); Money Laundering; Possession with Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance (6 counts); Possession with Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance – Second Offense; Possession Drug Paraphernalia.  Committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on $637,200.00 cash bond.

Antonio P. Holder, 28 of Bridgeville: PWITD Controlled Substance (3 cts); Conspiracy 2nd (4cts); Money Laundering; Possession Firearm by Person Prohibited; PWITD Controlled Substance Tier 4 quantity; Possession Controlled Substance Tier 5 quantity; PWITD Controlled Substance Tier 2 quantity. Committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on $659,000.00 cash bond.

James Jones, 28 of Bridgeville: Possession of a Controlled Substance in Tier 5 quantity; PWITD Controlled Substance in Tier 4 quantity; Money Laundering (2cts); PWITD Controlled Substance (3cts); Conspiracy 2nd (3cts).  Committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on $194,000.00 cash bond.

Yusef L. Matthews, 40 of Seaford: PWITD a controlled substance in Tier 4 quantity, PWITD a controlled substance (3cts), Possess a controlled substance in a Tier 5 quantity, Conspiracy 2nd (3cts), Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (2cts), Criminal Solicitation 2nd. Committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on $50,000.00 secured bond.

Sonia Chavez, AKA Maria Zakrociemski, 65 of Millsboro: PWITD a controlled substance (27cts), Conspiracy 2nd (25cts), Criminal Solicitation 2nd (6cts), PWITD a controlled substance in a Tier 2 quantity. Tampering with physical evidence, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (2cts). Committed to Delores J. Baylor Women’s Correctional Institution (DJBWCI) on $242,400.00 cash bond.

Patrisha Cannon, 32 of Laurel: Possession Controlled Substance Tier 5 quantity; PWITD Controlled Substance Tier 4 quantity; Conspiracy 2nd; Possession Drug Paraphernalia (2cts).  Held at DJBWCI in default of $122,400 cash bond.

Donald Carey, 28 of Lincoln: Possession Controlled substance Tier 3 quantity; Possession Drug Paraphernalia (2cts); Conspiracy 2nd (3cts) PWITD Controlled Substance Tier 2 quantity (2cts); Criminal Solicitation 2nd.   Held at SCI in default of $85,000.00 bond.

Nyier Starks, 24 of New Castle: PWITD a controlled substance, Conspiracy 2nd. Held at Howard R. Young Correctional Institution in default of $12,000.00 cash bond.

Duayne L. Thompson, 34 of Seaford: PWITD a controlled substance, Criminal Solicitation 2nd, Conspiracy 2nd. Held at SCI in default of $15,000.00 cash bond.

Odrift M. Ulysses, 33 of Laurel: Second Offense PWITD a control substance (2cts), Possess a controlled substance in a Tier 1 quantity with two aggravating factors, Possession of Marijuana – Subsequent Offense, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (2cts), PWITD a controlled substance (2cts), Criminal Solicitation 2nd, Conspiracy 2nd, Possess/Consume Marijuana Personal Use Quantity 21 or older – Civil Violation. Held at SCI in default of $61,000.00 cash bond.

Lavocia I. Callahan, 46 of Millsboro: PWITD a controlled substance, Conspiracy 2nd. Held at SCI in default of $10,000.00 secured bond.

Pamela J. Bergman, 56 of Millsboro: Possession of a Controlled/Counterfeit Substance except Human Growth Hormone w/o prescription (2cts), Criminal Solicitation 2nd (2cts), Conspiracy 2nd (2cts). Held at Delores J. Baylor Women’s Correctional Institution in default of $2,500.00 secured bond.

Robert Levan, 34 of Harrington: PWITD a controlled substance (2cts), 3rd Offense - PWITD a control substance (2cts), Tampering with physical evidence, Conspiracy 2nd Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (3cts). Released after posting $53,000.00 secured bond.

Lexus M. Bailey, 21 of Blades: PWITD Controlled Substance; Conspiracy 2nd. Released on unsecured bond.

Leslie A. Johnson, 40 of Seaford: PWITD a controlled substance (5cts), Conspiracy 2nd (4cts), Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (2cts). Released on unsecured bond.

Lakota S. Norwood, 24 of Harbeson: PWITD a controlled substance, Conspiracy 2nd. Released on unsecured bond.

Jose A. Serpa, 37 of Bridgeville: PWITD a controlled substance, Possession of a controlled substance in a Tier 3 quantity, Possess a controlled substance Tier 3 quantity and an aggravating factor, PWITD a controlled substance w/ an aggravating factor, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Released on unsecured bond.

Donshell T. Weston, 32 of Seaford: PWITD a controlled substance (2cts), 3rd Offense - PWITD a control substance (2cts), Tampering with physical evidence, Conspiracy 2nd Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (3cts). Released on Bond.

Todd D. Culver, 49 of Greenwood: Possession of a Controlled/Counterfeit Substance except Human Growth Hormone w/o prescription w/aggravating factor, Criminal Solicitation 2nd, Conspiracy 2nd, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (2cts), Driving While Suspended, Failure to have insurance identification in possession. Released on bond.

Keith A. Dockins, 58 of Salisbury, Maryland: Possession of a Controlled/Counterfeit Substance except Human Growth Hormone w/o prescription w/aggravating factor, Criminal Solicitation 2nd, Conspiracy 2nd, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (2cts), Failure to Signal. Released on Bond.

Shaina Andell, 29 of Millsboro: Possession of a Controlled/Counterfeit Substance except Human Growth Hormone w/o prescription w/aggravating factor, Criminal Solicitation 2nd, Conspiracy 2nd. Released on unsecured bond.

James V. Bryant, 61 of Ocean View: Possession of a Controlled/Counterfeit Substance except Human Growth Hormone w/o prescription (5cts), Criminal Solicitation 2nd (5cts), Conspiracy 2nd (5cts). Released on bond.

Karin M. Flowers, 36 of Georgetown: Possession of a Controlled/Counterfeit Substance except Human Growth Hormone w/o prescription, Criminal Solicitation 2nd, Conspiracy 2nd. Released on unsecured bond.

April A. Grant, 35 of Millsboro: Possession of a Controlled/Counterfeit Substance except Human Growth Hormone w/o prescription, Criminal Solicitation 2nd, Conspiracy 2nd. Released on unsecured bond.

Keith A. Grew, 51 of Millsboro: Possession of a Controlled/Counterfeit Substance except Human Growth Hormone w/o prescription, Criminal Solicitation 2nd, Conspiracy 2nd. Released on unsecured bond.

William J. Hendrickson, 61 of Millsboro: Possession of a Controlled/Counterfeit Substance except Human Growth Hormone w/o prescription, Criminal Solicitation 2nd, Conspiracy 2nd. Released on unsecured bond.

Chad E. Hopper, 33 of Frankford: Possession of a Controlled/Counterfeit Substance except Human Growth Hormone w/o prescription, Criminal Solicitation 2nd, Conspiracy 2nd. Released on unsecured bond.

Tiffany R. Klinger, 38 of Millsboro: Possession of a Controlled/Counterfeit Substance except Human Growth Hormone w/o prescription, Criminal Solicitation 2nd, Conspiracy 2nd. Released on unsecured bond.

Colleen J. Patterson, 57 of Millsboro: Possession of a Controlled/Counterfeit Substance except Human Growth Hormone w/o prescription, Criminal Solicitation 2nd, Conspiracy 2nd. Released on unsecured bond.

David G. Richards, 48 of Rehoboth Beach: Possession of a Controlled/Counterfeit Substance except Human Growth Hormone w/o prescription, Criminal Solicitation 2nd, Conspiracy 2nd. Released on unsecured bond.

Joseph Unsworth, 43 of Millsboro: Possession of a Controlled/Counterfeit Substance except Human Growth Hormone w/o prescription, Criminal Solicitation 2nd, Conspiracy 2nd. Released on unsecured bond.

Raymond H. Willis, 46 of Millsboro: Possession of a Controlled/Counterfeit Substance except Human Growth Hormone w/o prescription, Criminal Solicitation 2nd, Conspiracy 2nd. Released on unsecured bond.

Brad A. Wilt, 35 of Millsboro: Possession of a Controlled/Counterfeit Substance except Human Growth Hormone w/o prescription, Criminal Solicitation 2nd, Conspiracy 2nd. Released on unsecured bond.

Robin A. Wriston, 52 of Rehoboth Beach: Possession of a Controlled/Counterfeit Substance except Human Growth Hormone w/o prescription, Criminal Solicitation 2nd, Conspiracy 2nd.  Released on unsecured bond.

**DSP is seeking the public’s assistance in locating the following subjects**

• Demetrio R. Stewart, 37 of Milford: PWITD a controlled substance, Criminal Solicitation 2nd, Conspiracy 2nd
• Vera E. Curtis, 38 of Dagsboro: PWITD a controlled substance (2cts), Conspiracy 2nd (2cts).
• Sarah A. Seamen, 55 of Millsboro: Possession of a Controlled/Counterfeit Substance except Human Growth Hormone w/o prescription, Criminal Solicitation 2nd, Conspiracy 2nd.
• Larry C. Reich, 47 of Palmyra, Pennsylvania: Possession of a Controlled/Counterfeit Substance except Human Growth Hormone w/o prescription, Criminal Solicitation 2nd, Conspiracy 2nd.
• Ernest M. Lofland, 50 of Frankford: PWITD a controlled substance, Conspiracy 2nd.
• Brian K. Barlow, 33 of Millsboro: Possession of a Controlled/Counterfeit Substance except Human Growth Hormone w/o prescription (2cts), Criminal Solicitation 2nd (2cts), Conspiracy 2nd (2cts).

Demetrio R. Stewart

Vera E. Curtis

Sarah A. Seamen

Larry C. Reich

Ernest M. Lofland

Brian K. Barlow

“Heroin is a major contributor to criminal activity in Sussex County and throughout Delaware. The State Police and DOJ deputies, investigators and staff have worked tirelessly to address it, and Attorney General Denn has made dealing with substance use issues a priority. Heroin, fentanyl and mixtures of these drugs are a danger to public safety for drug users, police, emergency personnel, and others who may come into contact with them. Mere contact with these substances can be fatal,” said David Hume, Sussex County Prosecutor at the Department of Justice. “Operation Golden Horseshoe dealt a significant blow to criminal organizations responsible for the presence of heroin and other dangerous drugs in Sussex County. In addition to our law enforcement partners at the Delaware State Police, I would like to recognize the contributions of Deputy Attorneys General Haley King and Michael Tipton for their continuing efforts in this case.”

"The success of this investigation demonstrates that it will take the collaborative efforts of all of our law enforcement partners and the cooperation and support of effected communities to target and dismantle drug organizations plaguing neighborhoods across our State" said Colonel Nathaniel McQueen Jr., Superintendent of Delaware State Police.  "Thank you to our Troopers, prosecutors and all of our federal state and local law enforcement partners for their outstanding work on this investigation.  All of our agencies remain committed to working with our communities to reduce violent crime and drug trafficking throughout the State of Delaware.”

If anyone has any information in reference to the location of the listed wanted subjects, they are asked to contact Sergeant M. Dawson at 302-752-3815. Information may also be provided by calling Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333, via the internet at www.delaware.crimestoppersweb.com.