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.