Pennsylvania
Department of Justice charges 17 people for drug trafficking in Pennsylvania and Ohio communities
Beaver County District Attorney Nathan Bible shares initiatives for office
Beaver County’s newest district attorney, Nathan Bible, shares his experience from his first two months in office and some of the initiatives he would like to achieve.
PITTSBURGH ― Two indictments were unsealed Thursday afternoon that accuse 17 people from communities in Ohio, western Pennsylvania and Puerto Rico of a conspiracy to distribute cocaine in the New Castle and Youngstown areas.
According to investigators from the Department of Justice, the indictments charge the 17 individuals with crimes related to violating federal narcotics, firearms and racketeering laws. A large number of those named in the charges are from the New Castle region, but several of those charged were also from Ellwood City and one man was living in the borough of Rochester, Beaver County.
“Today’s indictments represent an important step toward dismantling a multi-state drug trafficking operation that brought significant quantities of cocaine from Puerto Rico to western Pennsylvania and our neighbors in Ohio,” said U.S. Attorney Eric Olshan. “Together with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, we will continue to work collaboratively to keep our communities safe from drug traffickers and, in particular, those who choose to carry firearms in connection with their drug dealing.”
According to court documents, the defendants named in this case are alleged to be transporting drugs, either in person or by mail, from Puerto Rico to western Pennsylvania and Ohio. Drug transportation was a part of an ongoing illicit drug business, with some members of the criminal organization receiving additional charges for owning firearms to further the drug-trafficking operation. Jamie Klinesmith, an Ellwood City resident, allegedly also possessed over 500 grams of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute the drugs.
“Joint investigations that involve federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies working together as part of the HIDTA and OCDETF programs are what lead to successful cases and significant indictments, as is the case here,” said Thomas Hodnett, special agent in charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Philadelphia Field Division. “These individuals are accused of trafficking cocaine, methamphetamine, and firearms from outside the continental United States, specifically Puerto Rico, to right here in western Pennsylvania. I commend the efforts of all the agencies involved.”
Pennsylvania residents charged in the two federal indictments include:
- Amanda Kelosky, 37, of Ellwood City
- Daniel Feliciano, 47, of New Castle
- Dorothy Myers, 41, of New Castle
- Franchely Shymko Vazquez, 31, of New Castle
- Glenn Samuels, 32, of New Castle
- Jamie Klinesmith, 39, of Ellwood City
- Kevin Tulla Torres, 28, of New Castle
- Luciano Bratini Rivera, 36, of New Castle
- Luis Rivera Otero, 37, of New Castle
- Markus Hobel, 34, of New Castle
- Lindsay Ostrom, 37, of Ellwood City
- Roberto Muniz Sanchez, 45, of Rochester
- Thomas James Myers, 45, of Ellwood City
Ohio residents charged were
- Ruben Noel Sanchez, 28, of Youngstown
- Rubel Sanchez, 21, of Youngstown
Also charged were Antonio Bernacett Rodriguez, 39, of Barceloneta, Puerto Rico, and Jean Sanchez Tulla, 37, of Florida, Puero Rico.
Investigators noted Lawrence County is one of six counties in western Pennsylvania officially designated as a High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area by the White House’s Office of National Drug Control Policy, which allows the region to receive dedicated federal resources to fight drug abuse and trafficking. The county first received the designation in July 2022.
An indictment is an accusation and all individuals named in these charges are presumed innocent unless proven guilty by the courts.
Hersheypark in Pennsylvaniacould be forced to close this summer amid a dispute between the site’s operators and union employees, according to a report.
The amusement park is scheduled to open seven days a week starting May 21 in a shift from its weekend-only operation before the summer, despite a looming vote among employees about whether to go on strike.
Over 200 union maintenance employees at Hersheypark, The Hotel Hershey and Giant Center rejected a contract offer from Hershey Entertainment & Resorts on May 7, according to Inside the Magic. The park’s operators described the proposal as their “last, best and final” offer.
Over a three-day period this week, employees will vote on whether to strike after rejecting the offer, which is the third from the park’s operators. A strike could close the park just in time for the start of the busy summer season when families head on vacation.
The list of employees considering going on strike includes ride mechanics, electricians, plumbers, welders, painters, machinists, utilities technicians, carpenters, garage auto mechanics and sign artists.
In mid-March, the union and Hershey Entertainment & Resorts agreed to extend a former contract for 60 days to allow for continued negotiations.
According to Inside the Magic, union workers are seeking fair wage increases, more affordable care plans and higher pay premiums for less-desirable shifts. The union has also said that it will reject new contract offers that lower professional standards, devalue skilled trades or open the door to lower wages in maintenance roles in the future.
The Independent has contacted Hershey Entertainment & Resorts for comment about the possible strike.
Hersheypark, located 15 miles east of Harrisburg, is the largest amusement park in Pennsylvania. Founded in 1906, the 121-acre site boasts more than 70 rides, a water park with 17 water attractions and an 11-acre North American Wildlife Park, according to Hersheypark’s website.
It’s named for and themed in conjunction with the popular candy company.
However, a different park in the Keystone State was named as the top amusement park in the U.S. on TripAdvisor’s Best of the Best list.
It was Knoebels Amusement Resort in Elysburg, 42 miles north-northeast of Harrisburg, that topped the list. In doing so, the little-known park was ranked higher than Dollywood, Disney World’s Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Universal Islands of Adventure that also made the top 5.
“It’s got it all: roller coasters, kid-friendly rides (bumper cars, a haunted mansion), swimming, camping, a mining museum, and even a championship 18-hole golf course,” TripAdvisor wrote. “The accommodating staff, clean facilities, and fun attractions make for a memorable family-friendly visit.”
Knoebels is the U.S.’s largest free-admission park, although tickets for individual rides cost a fee.
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruling on cast vote records creates uncertainty for counties
NEW CASTLE, Pa. (MyValleyTributes) – Charles “Yami” Frederick Jamison, age 83, of New Castle, Pennsylvania, formerly of Warren, Ohio, passed away, surrounded by his family, on Saturday, May 9, 2026, in Haven Convalescent Home.
Mr. Jamison was born December 2, 1942, in New Castle, a son of the late Charles N. and Anna (Callihan) Jamison and was a 1960 graduate of New Castle High School.
Charles worked as an order checker clerk for Packard Electric Company, Warren, Ohio, for 31 years, until his retirement in 1999.
A proud veteran, he served his country in the United States Navy.
He was a member of St. Mary’s Church, Warren, Ohio and also attended Mass at Holy Spirit Parish – St. Mary’s Church.
Charles spent his free time hunting and playing Euchre.
He is survived by his four sisters, Margaret I. Klann, Mary E. DeMarco and Catherine “Kay” A. Houk (Robert), all of New Castle and Susan J. Olson (Donald), Winfield, Illinois; his brother, Richard Jamison (Linda) of New Castle; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the City Rescue Mission, 319 S. Croton Ave., New Castle, PA, 16101, and the Salvation Army, 240 W. Grant St., New Castle, PA, 16101.
The family would like to extend their gratitude and appreciation to the Haven Convalescent Home for the care and support that Charles received over the years.
Calling Hours will be from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m., on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, in J. Bradley McGonigle Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 111 W. Falls St., New Castle.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on 10:30 a.m., Wednesday May 13, 2026, in Holy Spirit Parish – St. Mary’s Church, 124 N. Beaver St., New Castle, with Rev. Aaron Kriss, as celebrant.
Interment: Castleview Memorial Gardens, Neshannock Twp.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Charles F. Jamison, please visit our flower store.
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