Man admits role in 3-county drug ring
A Pottstown man potentially faces decades in prison after he admitted to his role in a corrupt organization, specifically, to distributing the deadly drug fentanyl and cocaine for the drug ring, primarily in the Pottstown region but also in Berks and Lehigh counties.
Aaron “Ace” Ramseure, 31, of the 900 block of North Hanover Street, pleaded guilty in Montgomery County Court on Monday to 16 felony charges, including corrupt organizations, conspiracy to deliver controlled substances and possession with intent to deliver heroin, fentanyl and cocaine in connection with incidents that occurred between November 2015 and June 2018.
Judge Risa Vetri Ferman deferred sentencing so that court officials can complete a background investigation report about Ramseure, who will remain in the county jail while awaiting sentencing. Assistant District Attorney Tonya Lupinacci is prosecuting the case.
Ramseure, who is represented by defense lawyer Jodi Griffis, faces a possible maximum sentence of 10-to-20-years in prison on the corrupt organizations charge alone and the possibility of decades in prison when the individual drug delivery charges are considered.
Ramseure was one of five men arrested in June during an investigation dubbed “Operation Poison Control.”
At the time, District Attorney Kevin R. Steele alleged the men were delivering “poison” to drug-addicted people in the region.
Authorities identified David Tyrone Cooper, 43, of the 1000 block of Saylor Street, Muhlenberg Township, Berks County, as the leader of the alleged corrupt organization. Saylor is still awaiting court action on drug-related charges.
At the time of the arrests, Steele characterized Ramseure as “second-incommand to Cooper, one of Cooper’s right-hand men.”
Others charged, and still awaiting trial, in connection with the drug operation included:
Miguel A. “Migz” Figueroa Jr., 34, of the 700 block of Lance Place, Reading, who was identified in court papers as Cooper’s fentanyl, heroin and cocaine supplier; Jerome Beverly Tucker, 63, of the 400 block of Chestnut Street, Pottstown, who authorities alleged was “to cook the crack cocaine” and prepare it for distribution; and Christopher Saunders, 25, of the 400 block of King Street, Pottstown, who was identified as Cooper’s stepson and “a member of the organization’s upper echelon” and who allegedly was responsible for overseeing the distribution of cocaine and fentanyl in Pottstown.
Investigators with the district attorney’s Violent Crime Unit said the organization’s criminal activities were reported to police by nine confidential informants and three anonymous “concerned citizens.” The investigation also utilized electronic surveillance including wiretaps on the suspects’ phones, visual surveillance, controlled drug buys and seizures of evidence with search warrants.
During the course of the investigation, detectives learned that Cooper was previously jailed for about 10 years on drug trafficking charges and while he was preparing for release from a state prison in 2015 he “formulated a plan” to distribute drugs in Montgomery County, according to the criminal complaint.
“This investigation revealed Cooper accomplished his goal,” detectives wrote. “This plan included the enlistment of various sub-dealers, including his stepson, Chris Saunders.”
On June 1, 2018, detectives intercepted phone calls between Cooper and his alleged confederates that revealed Figueroa was to deliver fentanyl to Cooper at the Muhlenberg Township residence, according to court papers. Surveillance was established in the area and detectives observed Figueroa arrive in a Honda Odyssey and meet with Cooper.
During a subsequent search of Cooper’s residence, detectives seized cocaine, drug packaging materials and a firearm, according to the arrest affidavit. Detectives alleged the cocaine was obtained from Figueroa.
Figueroa also utilized a concealed compartment, or void, in the rear of the Honda Odyssey to conceal drugs. A state police trooper trained to identify such altered vehicle compartments searched the vehicle and discovered two bags of fentanyl, nearly 200 grams, and a Glock .40-caliber firearm.
Officials said the fentanyl seized could have been divided into 6,600 doses on the street.
Searches also were conducted at other residences in Montgomery, Berks and Lehigh counties and resulted in the seizure of drugs, seven firearms and $34,000 cash, court papers indicate.
The arrests were the culmination of a joint investigation by authorities from Montgomery, Berks and Lehigh counties, as well as the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General and Pennsylvania State Police.