Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced the arrests of eight individuals accused of narcotics trafficking, sales, and gun possession on Long Island’s North Fork. The arrests followed a long-term investigation conducted by the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office’s East End Drug Task Force (EEDTF) and the Southold Police Department.
“What began as a tragic fatal overdose in Albany led us to uncover a significant drug trafficking operation here in Suffolk County,” said District Attorney Tierney. “The fact that the victim’s family, amid their grief, had the presence of mind to contact law enforcement, led to the unraveling of an alleged criminal organization and the arrests of these eight individuals.”
Southold Police Department Captain Steve Grattan commended the EEDTF for their efforts. “Their recent success in combatting illegal drug activity is a testament to their teamwork and dedication,” he stated.
The investigation commenced in August 2023 after a family reported a fatal fentanyl overdose that occurred in June 2023 in Albany County. Through their inquiry, law enforcement learned that Shawn Smiley allegedly mailed counterfeit oxycodone pills to the victim prior to his death.
Smiley reportedly obtained illicit pills from Melissa Flythe and sold them at various locations on the North Fork. Investigators later found that Flythe's boyfriend, Lashawn Lawrence, was also involved in trafficking fentanyl and oxycodone pills.
Law enforcement used multiple investigative techniques, including physical and electronic surveillance, identifying additional co-conspirators such as David Brown, Jamal Lawrence, and Amylyn Spinelli.
On August 22, 2024, multiple search warrants were executed. At Lashawn Lawrence’s and Flythe’s apartment in Riverhead, officers allegedly found a loaded unserialized semi-automatic pistol (a "ghost gun"), fentanyl packaged for individual sale, and oxycodone pills.
Additional search warrants at Smiley’s apartment in Greenport uncovered oxycodone pills and two loaded firearms at his storage unit. Searches at Jamal Lawrence's and Spinelli's home revealed cocaine packaged for individual sale. At Brown's apartment in Riverhead, over half an ounce of cocaine and fentanyl packaged for sale were allegedly found along with oxycodone pills possessed by Zante Davender and an unregistered firearm possessed by Willie Davender.
The charges against each defendant are as follows:
- **Lashawn Lawrence**, 40: Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance (Third Degree), Criminal Possession of a Weapon (Second Degree), Conspiracy (Fourth Degree), Criminal Possession of a Weapon (Fourth Degree). Due back in court on September 24, 2024.
- **Melissa Flythe**, 45: Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance (Third Degree), Criminal Possession of a Weapon (Second Degree), Conspiracy (Fourth Degree), Criminal Possession of a Weapon (Fourth Degree). Due back in court on September 10, 2024.
- **Shawn Smiley**, 53: Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance (Third Degree), Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance (Third Degree), two counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon (Second Degree), Conspiracy (Fourth Degree). Due back in court on September 13, 2024.
- **David Brown**, 48: Four counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance (Third Degree), Conspiracy (Fourth Degree), Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance (Seventh Degree). Due back in court on October 9, 2024.
- **Jamal Lawrence**, 49: Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance (Third Degree), Conspiracy (Fourth Degree). Due back in court on September 13, 2024.
- **Amylyn Spinelli**, 41: Conspiracy (Fourth Degree). Scheduled arraignment on September 6, 2024.
- **Willie Davender**, 53: Criminal Possession of a Firearm. Scheduled arraignment on September 9, 2024.
All defendants face significant prison sentences if convicted.
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