Former New Philadelphia resident sentenced to 70 months on federal drug case
PITTSBURGH ‒ A former resident of New Philadelphia has been sentenced in federal court to 70 months in prison and four years of supervised release on his conviction for conspiring to distribute and distributing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.
On Friday, U.S. District Judge Robert J. Colville imposed the sentence on Phillip Bonanno, 56, who is in the Northeast Ohio Correctional Center in Youngstown.
According to information presented to the court, the Greater Pittsburgh Safe Streets Task Force, led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, conducted a long-term investigation, which included obtaining authorization for a federal wiretap, into drug-trafficking activity occurring in the Western District of Pennsylvania.
According to U.S. Attorney Eric G. Olshan, Bonanno (also known as Guido and Ohio Guido) was a member of the Pagans Motorcycle Club, reportedly from 2020 until 2022, and a close associate of co-defendants Bill Rana, who is awaiting sentencing, and Eric Armes, who was also sentenced to 70 months’ imprisonment. Bonanno and his nephew, co-defendant Cody Bonanno, were identified as methamphetamine suppliers for Rana, Armes and co-defendant Dominic Quarture, who is awaiting sentencing, and others.
Cody Bonanno, 28, was sentenced in March to time already served while awaiting resolution of the case. In November, he pleaded guilty to conspiring to distribute and distributing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. He will spend five years on supervised release. He lived in Uhrichsville when he was charged.
Intercepted communications confirmed that Bonanno facilitated drug trafficking activity at a New Philadelphia home, where drug customers, including members of the conspiracy, traveled to conduct drug transactions with his nephew. Additionally, Bonanno and his nephew would travel to the Western District of Pennsylvania also for their drug-trafficking activity, according to an announcement from Olshan.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Rebecca L. Silinski prosecuted the case.
2020: Area men facing federal drug charges as part of probe into motorcycle club
Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti commended the FBI, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Drug Enforcement Administration, Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office, Pennsylvania State Police, and Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General Bureau of Narcotics Investigations, for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Bonanno.
A press release from Olshan said the sentencing was the result of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles high-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten communities throughout the United States. OCDETF uses a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal network.
This article originally appeared on The Times-Reporter: Former Tuscarawas County residents sentenced on federal drug charges
