Wiretaps Lead to Local Drug Ring Takedown, DA Says

Montgomery County District Attorney Risa Ferman has announced the arrest six people stemming from a target-specific wiretap investigation titled "Operation Walled In."

Earlier this year, an investigation began into 26-year-old Ryan Gavlick, of Pottstown, whom authorities describe as the leader of a sophisticated drug trafficking organization. The investigation documented Gavlick's use – under the alias "Paul Wall" – of more than 14 cell phones, which they claimed were used to elude law enforcement.

Click here to read about Gavlick's prior criminal history

Utilizing an updated wiretap law that was passed in December of 2012, investigators were able to secure a court order authorizing a target-specific wiretap of Ryan Gavlick on Feb. 28.

Though a mix of intercepted phone conversations and surveillance, investigators learned of the scope of the alleged drug trafficking operation, as well as the identity of Gavlick's alleged marijuana supplier – Jason Bishop, of Philadelphia. They then acquired a court order for a wiretap of Bishop's phone.

Additional members of the alleged drug trafficking organization, including Phillip Williams, of Norristown, Jeremy Rotruck, of King of Prussia, and Teaira Thompson, of Pottstown, were also identified through the use of wiretaps.

Investigators learned that Gavlick was going to meet Bishop at the Gulph Mills Apartment Complex in Upper Merion on March 8, for a transaction of five-pounds of marijuana. Police were able to arrest Gavlick, who was still in his vehicle, as well as Bishop, after a brief foot pursuit.

Police then recovered five pounds of marijuana from the inside of Gavlick's vehicle, according to the police report.

Both men were arraigned by Magesterial District Judge Walter F. Gadzicki Jr., who set bail at $1 million for Gavlick and $500,000 for Bishop. They were both remanded to the Montgomery County Correctional Facility after failing to post bail.

Following the arrests of Gavlick and Bishop, Montgomery County Detectives and troopers from the Pennsylvania State Police executed 15 search warrants across Montgomery, Chester, Delaware and Philadelphia counties, recovering more than 50 pounds of marijuana, $23,248 in cash, four vehicles and two loaded firearms.

The two firearms were recovered from Gavlick's apartment, which he shares with Teaira Thompson on the 800 block of Schuylkill Avenue in Pottstown. Both weapons were registered to Thompson, who later told the investigative grand jury that she made a straw purchase for Gavlick, who cannot legally possess a firearm due to previous felony convictions.

Authorities continued their investigation into the alleged drug ring on April 5, by executing a search warrant on the home of Phillip Williams, along the 400 block of Centre Avenue in West Norriton. Inside the home, police seized a backpack with marijuana packaged for sale, a loaded .38 caliber handgun, dishes and glassware used to manufacture crack cocaine, $12,813 in cash and numerous cell phones, according to the report.

As a result of the investigation, the following six individuals have been arrested and charged:

Ryan Gavlick, of the 800 block of Schuylkill Avenue, Pottstown

• Corrupt Organization
• Possession with the intent to deliver a controlled substance
• Criminal conspiracy
• Criminal use of a telecommunitcation facility
• Dealing in proceeds of unlawful activities
• Violation of the Uniform Firearms Act

Jason Bishop, of the 1200 block of North 56th Street, Philadelphia

• Corrupt organization
• Possession with the intent to deliver a controlled substance
• Criminal conspiracy
• Criminal use of a telecommunication facility
• Dealing in proceeds of unlawful activites

Phillip Williams, of the 400 block of Centre Avenue, West Norriton

• Corrupt organization
• Possession with the intent to deliver a controlled substance
• Criminal Conspiracy
• Criminal use of a telecommunication facility
• Dealing in proceeds of unlawful activities
• VIolation of the Unirm Firearms Act

Jeremy Rotruck, 100 block of Rebel Road, King of Prussia

• Posession with the intent to deliver a controlled substance
• Criminal conspiracy
• Criminal use of a telecommunication facility
• Dealing in proceeds of unlawful activities

Woodley J. Baptiste, 1200 block of North 56th Street, Philadelphia

• Corrupt organization
• Possession with the intent to deliver a controlled substance
• Criminal Conspiracy
• Possession of a controlled substance

Teaira Thompson, 800 block of Schuylkill Avenue, Pottstown

• Violation of the Uniform Firearms Act

Members of the Montgomery County Detectives, the Pennsylvania State Police, and officers from the Upper Dublin, Hatfield, Upper Providence, West Norriton, Upper Merion, Plymouth Township, Norristown and Pottstown Police departments participated in the investigation.

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