Tioga County Residents Arrested in Federal Drug Bust

Federal prosecutors say six Tioga County residents are among nine defendants arrested in a major drug bust.

Authorities say 51-year-old David Wemmer, 40-year-old Jennifer Patton, 45-year-old Brandon Vanorman, 34-year-old David Cobb and 44-year-old Eini Raupers, all of Spencer, and 34-year-old Philip Acciarito of Owego are also accused, along with three Michigan residents, of money laundering and federal firearms offenses.

The arrests from June 17 through June 26 broke up a gang trafficking Heroin, Methamphetamine and Cocaine.

Officials with the U.S. Attorney’s office, Northern District say Wemmer and Patton and the three Michigan suspects face ten years to life in prison and ten-million dollar fines if convicted for possession with intent to distribute the drugs.  Vanorman faces between five and forty years and five million dollars in fines, Acciarito up to ten years in prison and up to $250,000 in fines, Cobb up to ten years in prison and up to $250,000 in fines and Raupers up to 20 years in prison and up to one-million dollars in fines if they are convicted of the drug distribution, conspiracy, weapons and other charges.

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Several of the defendants appeared in Federal Court in Binghamton while others appeared before magistrates in the District of Nevada and Western district of Michigan.

The Michigan defendants are identified as 44-year-old Tushaun Merritt, 47-year-old Demarrio Shell and 38-year-old Michael Hawkins.

All nine are currently being detained pending further proceedings.