3 South Jersey Men Convicted In Large Scale Drug Ring: Feds

Three South Jersey men have been convicted in a large scale drug trafficking ring after a trial that lasted 11 days, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced this week.

The jury deliberated for about a day-and-a-half before returning guilty verdicts against John Gunther a/k/a “Critty,” 35, Taleaf Gunther a/k/a “Leafy” and “L,” 33, and William Roland a/k/a “Chill,” 37, all of Camden, authorities said.

They were convicted by a federal jury of conspiring to sell cocaine base (crack cocaine), furanyl fentanyl, and heroin, distributing and possessing with intent to distribute these drugs, being a convicted felon in possession of a handgun, and witness tampering, authorities said.

They face a maximum penalty of life in prison, a fine of up to $10 million, and at least 10 years of supervised release. Each of the defendants have multiple prior felonies in state court and, therefore, face possible mandatory minimum sentences of 15 years in prison, authorities said.

John Gunther and Taleaf Gunther were the alleged leaders and managers of the operation. They obtained large amounts of the drugs and readied them to be sold on the streets, according to authorities.

All three were among 10 members of the alleged drug ring who were arrested in June 2017. The others included Mark Campbell, 39, a/k/a “D” and Diz,” of Sicklerville; George Williams, 42 of Haddon Township; Daron Suiter, 23; Karim Johnson, 38; Latoya Whealton, 32; Malcolm McCoy, 27; and Rajai Gaines, 33, all of Camden.

Davon Leak, 20, of Camden, was arrested nearly a year later. He pleaded guilty to selling crack cocaine and furanyl fentanyl, a synthetic opioid, in December and awaits sentencing.

The FBI-led investigation made use of surveillance, confidential informants, cooperating witnesses, more than 20 controlled drug purchases, record checks, a GPS vehicle tracker, and multiple telephone wiretaps to uncover the operations of the drug trafficking organization. The investigation ultimately led to the seizure of over 300 grams of crack cocaine, quantities of furanyl fentanyl and heroin, a firearm, and drug paraphernalia.

Campbell previously pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 280 grams or more of cocaine base, according to authorities. Sentencing is scheduled for May 13.

Johnson previously pleaded guilty to an information charging him with one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 28 grams or more of cocaine base. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison, and is subject to eight years of supervised release and 300 hours of community service.

On March 26, at the same time Johnson pleaded guilty, Suiter pleaded guilty to the same charges. Suiter was sentenced on Aug. 9 to five years in prison.

On March 12, Williams pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute furanyl fentanyl.

On March 5, Whealton pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 28 grams or more of cocaine base. She also accepted responsibility for distributing furanyl fentanyl and heroin to customers in Camden.

Later in the spring, Gaines pleaded guilty to a superseding information charging him with possessing with intent to distribute 28 grams or more of cocaine base. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison.

Williams, Whealton and McCoy all await sentencing.