Fatal OD Leads To Illegal Drug Trafficking Bust On North Fork: DA

NORTH FORK, NY — Eight people were arrested and charged after a fatal overdose in Albany led to an investigation into drug trafficking and gun possession miles away on the North Fork, Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney said.

According to Tierney, the investigation was launched after a family that lost a loved one contacted the Suffolk County DA's office.

On Friday, Tierney announced the arrests of Lashawn Lawrence, Melissa Flythe, Shawn Smiley, David Brown, Amylyn Spinelli, Jamal Lawrence, Willie Davendar and Zante Davendar — who are accused of narcotics trafficking and sales after a long-term investigation was conducted by the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office’s East End Drug Task Force and the Southold Police Department, Tierney said.

In August, 2023, the investigation began after a family contacted the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office’s EEDTF regarding a fatal fentanyl overdose that occurred in June, 2023 in Albany County, Tierney said.

Through the investigation, law enforcement learned that Smiley had reportedly mailed counterfeit oxycodone pills to the victim prior to his death, Tierney said. After Smiley reportedly obtained illicit pills from Flythe, he then sold the pills at various locations on the North Fork, Tierney said.

Law enforcement then learned that Flythe's boyfriend, Lashawn Lawrence, was also reportedly involved in trafficking fentanyl and oxycodone pills, the DA said.

During the course of the investigation, law enforcement utilized a multitude of investigative techniques, including, but not limited to, physical and electronic surveillance, the DA said.

As a result, they identified additional alleged co-conspirators in the trafficking operation, including Brown, Jamal Lawrence, and Spinelli, the DA said.

On August 22, law enforcement executed multiple search warrants; one of the search warrants was executed at Lashawn Lawrence's and Flythe's apartment in Riverhead, the DA said.

Inside the apartment, law enforcement reported found a loaded and unserialized semi-automatic pistol, commonly referred to as a “ghost gun,” fentanyl that was packaged for individual sale, and oxycodone pills, the DA said.

Search warrants were also executed at Smiley’s apartment in Greenport, where law enforcement
reportedly found oxycodone pills, and at his storage unit, where law enforcement reportedly found two loaded firearms, the DA said.

In addition, a search warrant was executed at the home of Jamal Lawrence and Spinelli in Greenport, where law enforcement reportedly recovered cocaine that was packaged for individual sale, the DA said.

Additionally, a search warrant was executed at Brown's apartment in Riverhead, where he was
reportedly found in possession of over a half ounce of cocaine and over a half ounce of a substance
believed to be fentanyl, which were packaged for sale, Tierney said.

During the warrant execution at the apartment, Zante Davender was reportedly found in possession of oxycodone pills, and Willie Davender, in possession of an unregistered firearm, the DA said.

According to the DA, Lashawn Lawrence, 40, of Riverhead, was arrested and charged with one count of third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a felony; one count of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, a Class C violent felony; one count of fourth-degree conspiracy, a felony; and one count of fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon, a misdemeanor.

Lashawn Lawrence was arraigned on the charges on August 23 and was remanded during the pendency of the case; he is due back in court on September 24, and faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted, the DA said.

He is being represented by Anthony Rutkowski, who could not immediately be reached for comment.

Also, the DA said, Flythe, 45, of Riverhead, was arrested and charged with one count of third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a felony; one count of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, a Class C violent felony; one count of fourth-degree conspiracy, a felony; and one count of fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon, a misdemeanor.

Flythe was arraigned on the charges on August 23 and bail was set in the amount
of $250,000 cash and $500,000 insurance company bond during the pendency of the case, the DA said. Flythe is due back in court on September 10 and faces up to 15 years in prison if
convicted, the DA said.

She is currently not represented by an attorney.

Smiley, 53, of Greenport, was arrested and charged with one count of third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance, a felony; one count of third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a felony; two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, Class C violent
felonies; and fourth-degree conspiracy, a felony, Tierney said.

Smiley was arraigned on the charges on August 23, and was remanded during the pendency of the case; he is due back in court on September 13 and faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted, the DA said.

He is being represented by Melissa Aguanno, who could not immediately be reached for comment.

Brown, 48, of Riverhead, was arrested and charged with four counts of third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, felonies; one count of fourth-degree conspiracy, a felony; and one count of seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a misdemeanor, Tierney said.

Brown was arraigned on the charges on August 23 and was remanded during the pendency of the case; he is due back in court on October 9 and faces up to 12 years in prison if convicted of the top count, the DA said.

He is currently represented by the Legal Aid Society.

Jamal Lawrence, 49, of Greenport, was arrested and charged with one count of third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a felony; and one count of fourth-degree conspiracy, a felony, the DA said.

Lawrence was arraigned on the charges on August 23 and was remanded during the pendency of the case; he is due back in court on September 13,and faces up to 12 years in prison if convicted of the top count, the DA said.

Lawrence is being represented by the Legal Aid Society.

Spinelli, 41, of Greenport, was arrested and charged with one count of fourth-degree conspiracy, a felony, the DA said. She is scheduled to be arraigned on September 6, and faces up to two to four years in prison if convicted, the DA said.

Willie Davender, 53, of Riverhead, was arrested and charged with one count of criminal possession of a firearm, a felony, the DA said. He is scheduled to be arraigned on September 9, and faces up to one and one-third to four years in prison if convicted, Tierney said.

Zante Davender, 25, of Riverhead, was arrested and charged with one count of seventh-degreecriminal possession of a controlled substance, a misdemeanor, the DA said. He is scheduled to be arraigned on September 9, and faces up to 364 days in jail if convicted, the DA said.

"What began as a tragic fatal overdose in Albany led us to uncover a significant drug trafficking operation here in Suffolk County," Tierney said. "The fact that the victim’s family, amid their grief, had the presence of mind to contact law enforcement, led to theunraveling of an alleged criminal organization and the arrests of these eight individuals."

He added: "I urge any families who are unfortunately in similar circumstances, to call my office or the Suffolk County Police Department, so that we may seek justice for the untimely death of your loved one."

"On behalf of the Southold Town Police Department, I want to thank the East End Drug Task Force for their relentless commitment and tireless efforts to keeping our community safe," said Southold Police Department Captain Steve Grattan. "Their recent success in combatting illegal drug activity is a testament to their teamwork and dedication."