It was determined that there is no need for a preliminary hearing in these cases since an investigating grand jury has already determined that probable cause exists to believe the defendants have committed the crimes with which they are charged.
According to the Attorney General's Office, the drug organization was allegedly headed by Michael Styers, who traveled or sometimes had others travel for him, into Philadelphia, Pittsburgh or Wilkes-Barre to acquire drugs for resale in Clearfield County.
Styers' operation imported vast quantities of illegal drugs, including more than 20 kilograms of cocaine, into the Clearfield area beginning in 2004. The drug network allegedly generated drug profits totaling in the millions of dollars. Styers allegedly made more than a million dollars in profits.
The investigation, known as "Operation Drive Thru," began in April 2006 after the Lawrence Township Police responded to a burglary and encountered a vehicle parked along the road, along with Charles and Danielle Gearhart, Rick Wilkinson and his wife. They were allegedly in possession of about 200 grams of cocaine.
According to the grand jury, Charles Gearhart and his wife, Danielle Gearhart, were selling illegal drugs from a "drive-thru" window in their mobile home. The investigation found that the Gearharts allegedly sold to numerous customers who literally drove their vehicles up to a window of the home and conducted drug business on an almost daily basis.
The grand jury found that Charles Gearhart was a major dealer for Styers, and sometimes traveled with Styers to obtain cocaine. He and Styers regularly met Maharaji "Bean" Hemingway by the Philadelphia Zoo and brought back 9 ounces of cocaine at a time, paying $1,700 to $1,800 per ounce. Hemingway was allegedly responsible with supplying Styers with more than $1 million worth of cocaine. Upon returning to Clearfield, Styers and Charles Gearhart sold the cocaine to local customers.
Although Styers was the major importer of drugs to the Clearfield area, he was occasionally incarcerated on various parole violations. During those times, Charles Gearhart took over the operation.
According to the grand jury, Michael Gearhart was allegedly another one of the main cocaine distributors for Styers and dealt large quantities of cocaine from a rented room at a motel in Clearfield. Michael Gearhart also allegedly bought cocaine from Anthony Manchio in Wilkes-Barre in multiple ounce quantities for resale in the Clearfield area. Tammie Barney, who was Michael Gearhart's girlfriend, often accompanied him on the trips to Wilkes-Barre.
The grand jury also found that Richard Smeal, Kenneth Smeal and Wilkinson occasionally traveled to acquire drugs from an unidentified source in Pittsburgh for resale in Clearfield County.
According to the grand jury, some of the drug users who bought drugs from this organization paid for their drugs in ways other than with money, including sex, baby-sitting services, guns, other drugs and credit card-funded shopping sprees.
The following is a list of those involved, charges and bail amounts. The investigation is continuing and more arrests are expected.
* Michael Styers, 50, SCI Mercer, is charged with seven counts of delivery, seven counts of possession with intent to deliver, three counts of criminal conspiracy, two counts of criminal trespass, two counts of corrupt organizations, two counts of firearms, two counts of dealing in proceeds of unlawful activities, one count of criminal use of a communication facility, one count of burglary, one count of criminal attempt/burglary, one count of theft by unlawful taking and one count of receiving stolen property. Bail is $500,000, monetary.
* Rick Wilkinson, 45, an inmate in the county jail, is charged with three counts of delivery, three counts of possession with intent to deliver, two counts of corrupt organizations, one count of criminal conspiracy and one count of dealing in proceeds of unlawful activities. Bail is $100,000, monetary.
* Michael Marshall, 32, an inmate in the Centre County Jail, is charged with two counts of delivery and two counts of possession with intent to deliver. Bail is $75,000, monetary.
* Michael Gearhart, 47, 306 Ogden Ave., Clearfield, is charged with nine counts of delivery, nine counts of possession with intent to deliver, two counts of corrupt organizations, one count of criminal use of a communication facility, one count of criminal conspiracy and one count of dealing in proceeds of unlawful activities. Bail is $250,000, monetary.
* Charles Gearhart, 38, 145 Hunter Road, Woodland, is charged with 13 counts of delivery, 13 counts of possession with intent to deliver, two counts of corrupt organizations, one count of criminal use of a communication facility, one count of criminal conspiracy and one count of dealing in proceeds of unlawful activities. Bail is $250,000, monetary.
* Matthew Olson, 27, 314 Clearfield St., Clearfield, is charged with three counts of delivery, three counts of possession with intent to deliver and two counts of criminal conspiracy. Bail is $100,000, monetary.
* Jacob Pittman, 29, an inmate in the state prison system, is charged with six counts of delivery, six counts of possession with intent to deliver, two counts of corrupt organizations, one count of criminal use of a communication facility, one count of criminal conspiracy and one count of dealing in proceeds of unlawful activities. Bail is $250,000, monetary.
* Adam Caldwell, 21, 1215 Woodland Road, Clearfield, is charged with one count of delivery and one count of possession with intent to deliver. Bail is $50,000, monetary.
* Anthony Manchio, 49, Box 122F 212 Farmhouse Lane, Wapwallopen, is charged with four counts of delivery, four counts of possession with intent to deliver, one count of criminal use of a communication facility, one count of criminal conspiracy and one count of dealing in proceeds of unlawful activities. Bail is $500,000, monetary.
* Richard Smeal, 43, an inmate in the state prison system, is charged with eight counts of delivery, nine counts of possession with intent to deliver, six counts of criminal conspiracy, six counts of dealing in proceeds of unlawful activities, two counts of corrupt organizations and one count of criminal use of a communication facility. Bail is $250,000, monetary.
* Kenneth Smeal, 38, 7876 Shiloh Road, Shiloh, is charged with six counts of delivery, seven counts of possession with intent to deliver, two counts of corrupt organizations, one count of criminal use of a communication facility, one count of criminal conspiracy and one count of dealing in proceeds of unlawful activities. Bail is $250,000, straight.
* Tammie Barney, 41, 514 E. 5th St., Clearfield, is charged with one count of possession with intent to deliver and one count of criminal conspiracy. Bail is $25,000, monetary.
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