Former Galeton Man Charged in $600,000 Statewide Cocaine Ring

Attorney General says Thomas Shadle part of cocaine ring responsible for distributing kilos of cocaine throughout PA, including Potter County

Attorney General News Release

HARRISBURG – Agents from the Attorney General’s office today filed criminal charges against 11 individuals connected with two separate, but similar, drug operations allegedly responsible for distributing nearly $600,000 worth of cocaine in Philadelphia, its suburban counties and across central Pennsylvania.

Attorney General Tom Corbett said that these charges are a result of two separate cocaine trafficking investigations.

Evidence and testimony regarding the case was presented to a statewide investigating grand jury, which recommended the criminal charges being filed today.

According to the grand jury, the first organization was headed by Philadelphia resident Nicholas Fatiga.  This organization was allegedly responsible for distributing more than three and a half kilos of cocaine in Philadelphia, Montgomery, Mifflin and Potter counties over a 14 month period.

On May 4, 2010, agents executed a search warrant at Fatiga’s residence and two of his garages.  As a result of these searches, agents seized nearly 240 grams of cocaine, 200 Ecstasy pills, two scales, cutting agents, numerous syringes and other drug paraphernalia.

Corbett said that eight people were charged in connection with this organization, including Fatiga’s alleged cocaine supplier, Andre Serrano of Philadelphia.  Fatiga allegedly bought four and a half ounces of cocaine each month to supply his network.

According to the grand jury, Fatiga regularly sold quantities of cocaine to Michael Riff, Brian Brown, Christopher Cole, William McMonigle, Jr., Charles Stoner and Thomas Shadle for redistribution in their areas.

Additionally, Corbett said three people were charged in connection with a second organization, allegedly headed by Matthew Bertagni of Feasterville, Bucks County.

Corbett said that the Bertagni organization was allegedly responsible for the distribution and sale of more than two kilos of cocaine into Philadelphia, Bucks and Montgomery counties over the last year.

Corbett said that agents executed a search warrant at Bertagni’s residence and seized a handgun, two fully-loaded magazines and drug paraphernalia.

Agents also executed a search warrant at Bertagni’s mother’s residence and seized 383 grams of cocaine, two digital scales, cutting agents, other drug paraphernalia and $18,735.

According to the grand jury, John Dzizera and his wife, Victoria Salisbury traveled from Levittown, Bucks County, to Philadelphia to buy cocaine from Bertagni on multiple occasions.

Corbett said that, allegedly, the cocaine purchased by Dzizera and Salisbury was taken back to Bucks County and provided to their friends in local bars.

“We want to send a clear message to everyone involved in this illegal trade that there is no ‘safe haven’ for drug traffickers in Pennsylvania,” Corbett said.  “The Office of Attorney General is dedicated to working across the state to attack the flow of illegal drugs into our communities.”

Corbett noted that this is part of an ongoing investigation.

The defendants will be preliminarily arraigned this morning before Montgomery County Magisterial District Judge Deborah Lukens. The case will be prosecuted in Montgomery County by Deputy Attorney General Andrew M. Rongaus of the Attorney General’s Drug Strike Force Section.

Below is a list of the defendants and the charges against them:

Nicholas Fatiga, 30, 1217 Shackamaxon St., Philadelphia, is charged with 157 counts of violations of the controlled substance, drug, device and cosmetic act, 157 counts of Criminal conspiracy, 157 counts of dealing in unlawful proceeds, one count of corrupt organizations and one count of criminal use of a communication facility.

Andre Serrano, 37, 3514 N. 8th St., Philadelphia, is charged with 14 counts of violations of the controlled substance, drug, device and cosmetic act, 14 counts of criminal conspiracy, 14 counts of dealing in unlawful proceeds, one count of corrupt organizations and one count of criminal use of a communication facility.

Michael Riff, 30, 33 W. Montgomery Ave., Floor 2, Hatboro, is charged with 56 counts of violations of the controlled substance, drug, device and cosmetic act, 56 counts of criminal conspiracy, 56 counts of dealing in unlawful proceeds, one count of corrupt organizations and one count of criminal use of a communication facility.

Brian Brown, 33, 402 Easton Road, Horsham, is charged with 28 counts of violations of the controlled substance, drug, device and cosmetic act, 28 counts of criminal conspiracy, 28 counts of dealing in unlawful proceeds, one count of corrupt organizations and one count of criminal use of a communication facility.

Christopher Cole, 30, 446 Manor Road, Hatboro, is charged with 10 counts of violations of the controlled substance, drug, device and cosmetic act and 10 counts of criminal conspiracy.

William McMonigle, Jr., 39, 4610 Silverwood St., 2nd Floor, Philadelphia, is charged with 52 counts of violations of the controlled substance, drug, device and cosmetic act, 52 counts of criminal conspiracy, 52 counts of dealing in unlawful proceeds, one count of corrupt organizations and one count of criminal use of a communication facility.

Charles Stoner, 29, 1826 Valleyview Ave., Lewistown, is charged with two counts of violations of the controlled substance, drug, device and cosmetic act, two counts of criminal conspiracy, one count of dealing in unlawful proceeds, one count of corrupt organizations and one count of criminal use of a communication facility.

Thomas Shadle, 32, 225 North St., Westfield, is charged with four counts of criminal conspiracy, three counts of violations of the controlled substance, drug, device and cosmetic act, three counts of dealing in unlawful proceeds, one count of corrupt organizations and one count of criminal use of a communication facility.

Matthew Bertagni, 32, 115 Ruth St., Feasterville, is charged with eight counts of violations of the controlled substance, drug, device and cosmetic act, eightcounts of criminal conspiracy, eight counts of dealing in unlawful proceeds, one count of corrupt organizations and one count of criminal use of a communication facility.

John Dzizera, 37, 105 Twin Oak St., Levittown, is charged with three counts of violations of the controlled substance, drug, device and cosmetic act, and three counts of criminal conspiracy.

Victoria Salisbury, 30, 105 Twin Oak St., Levittown, is charged with one count of violations of the controlled substance, drug, device and cosmetic act and one count of criminal conspiracy.