Police, feds arrest 20 suspects in early-morning drug raids

CANTON — Police and federal agents arrested 20 drug suspects during a series of early-morning raids Monday around St. Lawrence County.

Most of the 20 suspects were arraigned Monday afternoon in U.S. District Court in Syracuse before Magistrate Judge David E. Peebles on various drug charges, the U.S. attorney's office said. Four more suspects remain at large.

"This is a milestone in combating drug trafficking in St. Lawrence County," St. Lawrence County District Attorney Nicole M. Duvé said at a press conference. She called the group "one of the main" drug operators in the county.

Today's raids were the second action taken against the group. In the two raids, authorities seized about 282 grams of cocaine, several hundred pounds of marijuana, 72 firearms and more than $70,000 in cash. The second round of raids started at 6 a.m. around the county.

"This is only the beginning," state police Capt. Robert S. LaFountain said. "We will pursue them relentlessly."

The initial raid focused on a Rensselaer Falls home where five people were arrested Oct. 6. The cache of weapons, considered one of the larger seizures in county history, included 72 firearms. The weapons included nine handguns, a .50-caliber sniper rifle and various assault rifles and shotguns.

The seizure at the 52 County Route 16 home also included nearly 8 ounces of cocaine, numerous pot plants and about $10,000 in cash.

Those people involved in the Oct. 6 raid include Louis Tomassini Jr., 42, of Rensselaer Falls, Anthony Bogart, 26, of Lisbon, Naomi Walters, 41, of New York City, Nicole Tomassini, 36, of Rensselaer Falls and Bradley Howe, 35, of Rensselaer Falls.

The 15 suspects picked up Monday and the five people from the Oct. 6 raid face various drug charges.

Those charged with conspiracy to distribute more than 100 kilograms of marijuana are: William Burkett, 41, Potsdam; Mr. Tomassini; Brian Charleston, 40, Potsdam; Crystal Arquitte, 34, Potsdam; Wayne Villnave, 39, Stockholm; Michael Humberstone, 36, Saranac Lake; Mr. Howe; Michael Larose Jr., 25, Ogdensburg, and Terry Perkins, 43, Brasher.

Those charged with conspiracy to distribute more than 500 grams of cocaine are: Mr. Tomassini, Mr. Burkett, Mr. Perkins, Mr. Bogart, Mr. Howe, Ms. Walters, Gary Holland, 35, Ogdensburg, Bruce Lester, 56, Rensselaer Falls, Henry Lacroix, 53, Norfolk, Mr. Humberstone and Ronald Lafave, 38, Ogdensburg.

Those charged with conspiracy to manufacture more than 100 marijuana plants are: Mr. Tomassini, Mr. Howe, Nathan Collins, 28, Parishville, Mr. Humberstone and Mrs. Tomassini.

Those charged with conspiring to distribute more than 100 kilograms of marijuana are: Robert Mergenthaler, 49, Potsdam, Mr. Villnave, Stuart Mossow, 37, Chase Mills, and Jonathan Popiel, 31, Colton.

If convicted, each person could face five to 40 years in prison and a fine of up to $2 million.

Mr. Tomassini also was charged with possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. If convicted, he could face from five years to life in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. The conviction would run consecutive to any other charges stemming from the case.

Several law enforcement agencies participated in the raids, including the U.S. Border Patrol, Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Marshals Service, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the St. Lawrence County Drug Task Force, the Franklin County Drug Task Force, the Adirondack Drug Task Force, Ogdensburg city police and village police departments from Gouverneur, Canton, Potsdam and Massena. Several K-9 units and state police helicopter also were used.

St. Lawrence County Sheriff Kevin M. Wells said the raids demonstrated a joint cooperation with numerous law enforcement agencies that's needed to combat drug trafficking in the north country.

The investigation, which was initiated by state police, started sometime before June, when the St. Lawrence County district attorney's office became involved, Ms. Duvé said.