Joint investigation nets 11 drug arrests
MILFORD First Assistant District Attorney Raymond J. Tonkin revealed Wednesday that eleven people have been arrested over the past five days in a joint investigation between the Pike County Drug Task Force and the state police. The arrests are the culmination of a ten-month joint investigation between the Pike County District Attorney’s Office and the state police. Along with the arrests, police served a search warrant on the Hawley residence of Mark F. Frankenthal and Lisa Bivona. Officers discovered approximately 83 bags of heroin, $4,732.00 in cash and surveillance equipment at the house. Those arrested on Dec. 14, and arraigned before Magisterial District Judge Deborah Fischer included: Christopher W. Trimble, 21, of Middletown, N.Y., charged with two counts of delivery of a controlled substance, cocaine, a felony; and criminal use of a communication facility, a felony. Judge Fischer set bail at $50,000. Tyrell A. Clark, 26, also of Middletown, charged with possession of a controlled substance, marihuana; and possession of drug paraphernalia, both misdemeanors. Judge Fischer set bail at $15,000. Those arrested on Dec. 19, and arraigned before Judge Fischer included: Diana H. Mason, 22, of Rowland, charged with delivery of a controlled substance, methadone pills, a felony; and criminal use of a communication facility, a felony. Judge Fischer set bail at $50,000. Jason J. Bell, 21, of Milford, charged with delivery of a controlled substance, oxycontin, a felony; and criminal use of a communication facility a felony. Judge Fischer set bail at $50,000. Ernest J. Lamonica, 21, of Hawley, charged with two counts of delivery of a controlled substance, heroin, a felony; and two counts of criminal use of a communication facility, a felony. Judge Fischer set bail at $100,000. William J. Mullin, 24, of Milford, charged with two counts of delivery of a controlled substance, heroin; and two counts of criminal use of a communication facility, a felony. Judge Fischer set bail at $100,000. The persons arrested on Dec. 19, and arraigned before Magisterial District Judge Jay R. Rose included: Mark F. Frankenthal, 41, of Hawley, charged with four counts of possession with intent to deliver/delivery of a controlled substance, heroin, all felonies; and two counts of possession of a controlled substance, a misdemeanor. Judge Rose set bail at $100,000. Lisa D. Bivona, 44, of Hawley, charged with eight counts of possession with intent to deliver/delivery of a controlled substance, heroin, all felonies; and two counts of criminal use of a communication facility, a felony; and two counts of possession of a controlled substance, a misdemeanor. Judge Rose set bail at $100,000. State police will file additional charges against Frankenthal and Bivona based upon the evidence seized pursuant to the search warrant. James Ford, 43, of Port Jervis, N.Y., was arrested by Port Jervis police on Judge Fischer’s warrant, charging him with delivery of a controlled substance, cocaine, a felony. He is held at the Orange County Jail pending extradition back to Pike County. Two individuals involved were already jailed and the Tonkin has lodged detainers against them. Kimberly Milner, 34, of Greeley, was already incarcerated in the Sussex County, N.J. She will be extradited back to Pike County to face the charge of delivery of a controlled substance, heroin. Dustin L. Carstetter, 24, was already incarcerated in the State Correctional Institute at Waymart and will face charges of delivery of a controlled substance, heroin, at a later time. At least four additional arrests are expected. Anyone with information about drug trafficking in Pike County may call the District Attorney’s Office at 570-296-3482.