Mom, Son Charged in Drug Ring
By Kevin Amerman, Wilkes-Barre, Pa., Times Leader
Apr. 12–PLAINS TWP. — A 20-year-old Kingston man and his 49-year-old mother were among 15 suspected drug dealers charged Tuesday in connection with a $1 million marijuana ring in Luzerne County.
Authorities say 13 adults — nine of whom are age 20 or younger — and two juveniles are responsible for distributing more than 500 pounds of marijuana in the county. The investigation, called "Operation Family Ties," began in July 2004 after a drug-related shooting in Edwardsville involving Michael Hughes and his mother, Kathryn Hughes, both of Kingston.
"It’s only pot, but we know clearly that marijuana is a gateway drug to heroin and other drugs," said Attorney General Tom Corbett.
"With the exception of Mrs. Hughes, these are all young people who aren’t getting the message about the dangers of drugs," said Luzerne County District Attorney David Lupas. "Hopefully this is a wake-up call."
All but two of the 15 people charged are 22 years old or younger.
According to authorities, who revealed details about the operation Tuesday during a press conference at the state Attorney General’s Office in Plains Township:
Michael Hughes directed his mother to sell specific amounts of marijuana to people, and the two also used cocaine and crack cocaine together. Michael Hughes also allegedly sold cocaine.
"You take a look at it and wonder what kind of household it was that you’re supporting your son’s habit," Corbett said.
The mother-and-son team served jail time for a 2004 drive-by shooting.
According to court documents, the pair and 18-year-old Ryan Rushton of Kingston, drove to the Sherman Hills apartment complex on July 27, 2004, where Michael Hughes fired eight shots from a .22-caliber rifle at a man while Rushton released one single shot from a 12-gauge shotgun.
Police say Michael Hughes also fired shots at an Edwardsville home hours before the Wilkes-Barre shooting. No one was injured in either shooting.
"So much of our other crimes, including violent crimes, are fueled by drugs," Lupas said.
On the day of the shootings, officers searched Kathryn Hughes’ vehicle and seized two ounces of marijuana. Members of the Luzerne County Drug Task Force conducted numerous interviews and discovered that Michael and Kathryn Hughes and others traveled to New York City each week to obtain multiple-pound quantities of marijuana.
Prosecutors presented the case to an investigating grand jury, which recommended criminal charges against the Hugheses and others. The grand jury found that in 2003, Michael Hughes obtained marijuana from Christopher Fell of Hanover Township. Fell, the only person charged in the operation who wasn’t arrested as of Tuesday evening, obtained the drug from Alhaji Samba of Wilkes-Barre. Authorities say Michael Hughes began getting marijuana directly from Samba when Fell was incarcerated on unrelated charges.
Police say Michael Hughes set up a distribution network, operating out of his Kingston home where he lived with his mother. One of the low-level dealers whom Michael Hughes supplied marijuana to was Peter Kolacz, 20, of Kingston, police said. Michael Hughes believed that Kolacz was taking away some of his customers and thought Kolacz may have stolen items from his home and became so upset that he offered to pay Rushton, whom he supplied drugs to, to set Kolacz’s house on fire, police say.
On Dec. 22, 2003, police say Rushton and Michael Hughes smoked crack and marijuana together, filled up an empty 22-ounce bottle with gasoline and put a rag in the bottle. Hughes drove to Kolacz’s home and Ruston broke a basement window and threw the lit bottle into the home, causing extensive damage, police said.
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To view the entire arrest affidavit go to www.timesleader.com [http://www.timesleader.com]
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District Judge Paul Roberts of Kingston arraigned the following people on Tuesday as part of Operation Family Ties:
– Michael Hughes, 20, of Kingston, charged with participating in a corrupt organization; several marijuana-dealing charges; delivery of cocaine; arson; and criminal use of a communications facility.
– Kathryn Hughes, 49, of Kingston, charged with participating in a corrupt organization; several marijuana-dealing charges and criminal use of a communications facility.
– Alhaji Samba, 38 of Wilkes-Barre, charged with participating in a corrupt organization and several marijuana-dealing charges.
– Christopher Fell, 20, of Scranton, who was still wanted as of Tuesday, will be charged with participating in a corrupt organization and several marijuana-dealing charges.
– Brian Doris, 22, of Edwardsville, charged with cocaine delivery and criminal use of a communication facility.
– Ryan Rushton, 18, of Kingston; Peter Kolacz, 20, of Kingston; Michael Brostoski Jr., 20, of Forty Fort; Jason Jones, 20, of Kingston; Bethany Storm, 21, of Courtdale; Matthew Riggs, 20, of Edwardsville; Jessica Miraglia, 19, of Edwardsville; and Marisa Ginanni, 19, of Kingston were all charged with crimes related to dealing marijuana.
Michael Hughes and his mother were held at the Luzerne County Correctional Facility on Tuesday night in lieu of $150,000 bail and $15,000 bail respectively. Samba was in jail on $150,000, Jones was in on $75,000 bail and Doris was incarcerated on $50,000. All others were not listed as inmates Tuesday night.
Kevin Amerman, a Times Leader staff writer, may be reached at 829-7218.
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