9 Charged After Drug-Ring Bust: Chestco D.A.

CHESTER COUNTY, PA — A Philadelphia meth supplier would not deliver to Chesco because he knew he'd face harsher penalties if busted here, said investigators who confiscated more than $150,000 worth of drugs along with $45,000 in cash and numerous guns after a months-long investigation.

Instead, local drug dealers had to travel to Philadelphia to buy the drugs from "J Philly" for resale in Chester County, according to police investigators.

The Chester County District Attorney's Office today announced the arrest of nine people charged in connection with trafficking large quantities of methamphetamine, heroin, and other drugs bought in Philadelphia and sold in Chester County.

In October members of the Chester County High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) said they began investigating a group they identified dealing crystal methamphetamine in the Coatesville area.

Investigators said they identified drug buyers and following the buyers lead to a significant supplier trafficking in methamphetamine, heroin, and marijuana in Philadelphia.

Investigators identified Shannon Eachus and Tyler Yocum as suspected drug traffickers based in West Caln Township, whom investigators believed were purchasing methamphetamine and heroin and then redistributing in the Coatesville area.

Police got a warrant and searched Eachus and Yocum's residence on Dec. 4, reporting they found and seized methamphetamine, heroin, marijuana, and cash.

The Eachus-Yocum search warrant led to several other suspects and more guns, drugs, and cash.

Law enforcement said they learned that "J Philly" was a known methamphetamine supply source in Philadelphia who refused to personally transport methamphetamine or heroin to Chester County because he was afraid of law enforcement there.

Instead, said investigators, dealers had to purchase the drugs in Philadelphia and bring them back to Chester County. Authorities identified "J Philly" Jeremiah Bowens.

Investigators allege that Bowens and Alicia Griffin, his girlfriend, were the source of methamphetamine, heroin, and marijuana sold on the streets in Chester County.

The Chester County HIDTA, in conjunction with the Pennsylvania State Police Troop K Vice Unit, began purchasing quantities of methamphetamine and heroin from Bowens and Griffin, according to the district attorney's report.

On Dec. 11 investigators searched Bowens' residence in Philadelphia's Roxborough area and said they found heroin, marijuana, drug paraphernalia, and more than $39,000 in cash.

The following persons are charged in relation to the HIDTA investigation:

Jeremiah Stefan Rafakie Bowens, 28, and Alicia Johnay Griffin, 21, both of Philadelphia, are charged with multiple counts of Possession with Intent to Deliver, Dealing in Proceeds of Unlawful Activities, Criminal Use of Communication Facility, Conspiracy, and related charges.

Tyler Yocum, 28, and Shannon Eachus, 43, both of Coatesville, are charged with multiple counts of Possession with Intent to Deliver, Possession of a Controlled or Counterfeit Substance, Person Not to Possess a Firearm, Conspiracy, and related charges.

Joshua Timothy Short, 26, of Parkesburg, is charged with Possession with Intent to Deliver, Criminal Use of Communication Facility, and related charges.

Matthew Wilson Heaps, 28, of West Chester, is charged with Possession with Intent to Deliver, Criminal Use of Communication Facility, Dealing in Proceeds of Unlawful Activities, and related charges.

Julio Angel Mendez, 33, of Honey Brook, is charged with three counts of Possession with Intent to Deliver, Criminal Use of Communication Facility, Conspiracy, and related charges

Steven Michael Kennedy, 30, of Coatesville, is charged with Conspiracy to Deliver a Controlled Substance, Possessing Instruments of Crime, and related charges.

Barry Robert Baker Jr., 32, of Coatesville, is charged with Person Not to Possess a Firearm and Criminal Use of a Communication Facility.

Keri Lee Slaymaker, 34, of Parkesburg, is charged with Person Not to Possess a Firearm.

Chester County District Attorney Deb Ryan said, "Even during a pandemic, law enforcement is working tirelessly to identify and stop the scourge of the drug trade. Thank you to the long list of law enforcement agencies across Chester County and the region for working together to get these defendants and their drug supplies off the street. Determined and coordinated efforts like these are what will keep Chester County safe from the ravages of drugs."

In total, the investigation yielded:

• Three pounds of crystal methamphetamine, valued at $125,000 • 200 bags of heroin, valued at $2,000
• Three pounds of marijuana, valued at $15,000
• Various prescription pills, valued at $7,500
• Promethazine, valued at $1,000
• Over $45,000 in cash
• Three shotguns, one rifle, and one handgun

The investigation was coordinated by members of Chester County High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area with help from numerous law enforcement agencies, including:

• Chester County Detectives
• Pennsylvania State Police J and K Vice Units
• West Brandywine Township Police Department
• Coatesville City Police Department
• Parkesburg Borough Police Department
• West Caln Township Police Department
• Downingtown Borough Police Department

Anyone with any information concerning this investigation is asked to call Chester County Detectives at 610-344-6866.