Published: October 26, 2006 11:52 pm      

Eight indicted on federal drug charges

Eight members of the violent “Philly Mob” drug-trafficking ring that operated in Johnstown for 18 months now have been indicted by a federal grand jury on federal narcotics charges.

If convicted, they face life in prison and millions of dollars in fines under federal sentencing guidelines, Assistant U.S. Attorney John Valkovci Jr. said.

They previously were arrested on state charges. Federal charges often are also filed in more serious drug trafficking cases.

The reputed leader – Concesor “Skinny” Cheatham, 22 – is a former Philadelphia resident most recently living in the 100 block of Cooper Avenue.

Two members of his family also were indicted: His mother, Marissa M. Cheatham, 43, of the 700 block of Kennedy Avenue, and his cousin, Maurice R. Cheatham, 21, of Philadelphia. Five others also were named.

The Philly Mob was described in December by former District Attorney David Tulowitzki as the most violent group operating in the city since the Jamaican cartel was broken up in the early 1990s.

Its tentacles reached beyond the eight people indicted by the federal grand jury. A dozen other suspected members – mostly street dealers – also were arrested last year.

Johnstown police Chief Craig Foust said the Philadelphia conspirators were responsible for several shootings in the city. During the arrests, several guns were seized, Foust said.

The highly organized group brought large amounts of crack cocaine and heroin to the Johnstown area from Philadelphia, Tulowitzki said.

In cocaine sales alone, the group was making more than $100,000 a month, Tulowitzki said.

Marissa and Maurice Cheatham and Jennifer McDade have been released on bond. The others remained in the county prison.