A federal grand jury is indicting 13 men for their role in a drug ring based out of New Castle.
Federal authorities announced the charges earlier this morning and citeds 53-year-old Bruce McKnight of Columbus, Ohio as the leader of the drug dealing operation.
McKnight, and his nephew—28-year-old Nathanial McKnight of New Castle—are facing additional charges for the distribution of fentanyl.
Overall, authorities say this effort seized almost 100,000 doses of heroin, and significant amounts of cocaine and other drugs.
Both Mercer and Lawrence County District Attorneys assisted with the investigation.
All of those indicted:
• Bruce McKnight. 53, of Columbus, OH;
• Norberto Castillo-Lopez, 31, of Mexico;
• Jossian Ayala-Ruberte, 39, of Kissimmee, FL;
• Luis Mattei-Albizu, 39, of Columbus, OH;
• Nathaniel McKnight, 28 of New Castle, PA;
• Michael Talbert, 41, of Farrell, PA;
• Tony McKnight, 55, of New Castle, PA;
• Trevor Austin, 46, of Sharon, PA;
• Thomas Pierce, Jr., 48, of Farrell, PA;
• Thomas Jones, 44, of Farrell, PA;
• Romondo Oatis, 46, of Farrell, PA;
• Darnell Latham, 51, of New Castle, PA
• Brandon Jetter, 39, of McKeesport, PA.
