LANSFORD, CARBON COUNTY – Cruz “June” Rodriguez, 31, of New Philadelphia, Schuylkill County, the alleged leader of a drug trafficking organization with ties to Allentown’s Second Street Gang, remains in Carbon County Prison on $500,000 bail one month after his October 23 arrest. Rodriguez faces 23 felony charges including corrupt organizations, possession with intent to deliver, and prohibited possession of a firearm in what authorities have called one of the largest drug busts in the Carbon County region in recent years.

Meanwhile, one of eight defendants charged in the Carbon County case has never been arrested. Robert C. Ahn, 45, of Lansford, Carbon County, known as “Dirt,” remains a fugitive with six felony charges pending. His case has been inactive in the Carbon County court system since the criminal complaint was filed October 22.

Upcoming Court Dates in Carbon County:

* December 17, 2025, 1:00 p.m. – Preliminary Hearing for Rodriguez, Heacock, Nieves-Feliciano, Camacho, Evert (Magisterial District Judge Beth A. Dodson, Carbon County)

* January 15, 2026, 11:00 a.m. – Formal Arraignment and Pre-Trial Conference for Hazlett and Carter (Carbon County District Attorney Michael Greek, Jim Thorpe)

The investigation was a joint effort between the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Bureau of Narcotics Investigations and the Carbon County Drug Task Force. Arresting officer in all cases was Agent Ian Urbanski of the AG’s office.

Who Remains in Carbon County Prison

Three defendants have been unable to post bail and remain in Carbon County Prison in Nesquehoning:

Cruz Rodriguez, 31, of New Philadelphia, Schuylkill County – Held on $500,000 bail. Rodriguez is represented by private attorney James Joseph Burke of Bethlehem. According to Carbon County court documents, Rodriguez operated as a wholesale drug supplier, acquiring methamphetamine, fentanyl, cocaine, and ecstasy from sources in Pennsylvania and New York, then fronting the product to local dealers throughout Carbon and Schuylkill counties. Informants told investigators Rodriguez used threats of “hot shots” – lethal fentanyl injections – to keep his network in line. A stolen 9mm handgun was recovered from the trunk of his vehicle. Rodriguez has prior convictions that prohibit him from possessing firearms.

Justin Heacock, 39, of Coaldale, Schuylkill County – Held on $90,000 bail at Carbon County Prison. Despite earlier news reports indicating Heacock had posted bail, court records show he has remained in custody continuously since his October 23 arrest. On November 19, Carbon County Judge Roger Nanovic granted his petition for appointment of counsel. He is now represented by public defender Michael Peter Gough.

Jose Alfredo Nieves-Feliciano, 44, of Coaldale, Schuylkill County – Held on $70,000 bail at Carbon County Prison. Nieves-Feliciano and Rodriguez were previously arrested together in August on drug charges in Schuylkill County. Those earlier charges were withdrawn and incorporated into the current Carbon County case. No attorney is listed in court records.

Who Posted Bail

Four defendants have been released from Carbon County Prison:

Elijah Marie Camacho, 28, of Tamaqua, Schuylkill County – Posted $50,000 bail through bondsman Christopher Todd Gorman on October 24, one day after her arrest. Prosecutors allege Camacho, Rodriguez’s girlfriend, served as his driver for drug deliveries and cash collections throughout the Carbon County and Poconos region. No attorney listed.

Kayla Evert, 31, of Lansford, Carbon County – Posted $20,000 bail through bondsman John David Rusak on October 27. Investigators identified Evert as a runner for street-level dealers in the Carbon County portion of the organization. No attorney listed.

Christopher “Skinny” Hazlett, 58, of Lansford, Carbon County – Released October 23 on $60,000 unsecured bail, meaning he was not required to post any money. According to Carbon County court documents, Hazlett operated a drug distribution point at the 200 block of East Abbott Street in Lansford; Lansford Borough police confirmed receiving complaints about the address. Hazlett waived his preliminary hearing November 5 and his case has been bound over to Carbon County Court of Common Pleas in Jim Thorpe. He is represented by public defender Matthew Joseph Mottola. On November 18, Assistant Attorney General Christie Bonesch of the AG’s Allentown regional office entered an appearance in the case, indicating state prosecutors will remain involved in the Carbon County prosecution.

William Todd Carter, 41, of Lansford, Carbon County – Posted $60,000 bail through professional surety Kevin Walsh on October 29. Carter waived his preliminary hearing November 5 and his case has been bound over to Carbon County Common Pleas. He is represented by Carbon County public defender Eric Wiltrout.

Fugitive Sought in Carbon County

Robert C. Ahn, 45, of Lansford, Carbon County – Criminal complaint filed October 22 in Carbon County, but Ahn has never been arrested. Case status is listed as “Inactive.” Informants identified Ahn as a runner in the Lansford portion of the operation. He faces six felony charges in Carbon County including corrupt organizations, possession with intent to deliver, conspiracy, dealing in proceeds of unlawful activities, and criminal use of a communication facility.

What Carbon County Authorities Seized

When agents executed search warrants at Rodriguez’s Coaldale residence, Camacho’s home in New Philadelphia, and Rodriguez’s vehicle, they recovered:

* More than 2 pounds of methamphetamine
* More than 8 ounces of fentanyl
* 281 MDMA (ecstasy) pills
* Approximately 130 grams of marijuana
* 76 grams of synthetic marijuana
* 30 grams of cocaine
* One stolen 9mm handgun (from Rodriguez’s vehicle)

Allentown Gang’s Reach Into Carbon County and the Poconos

According to investigators, Rodriguez was affiliated with the Second Street Gang, an Allentown-based criminal organization involved in drug trafficking and illegal weapons. Prosecutors say Rodriguez obtained drugs from sources in Pennsylvania and New York and distributed them through a network of dealers across Carbon County and into neighboring Schuylkill County, including the towns of Lansford, Coaldale, Tamaqua, and New Philadelphia.

Rodriguez operated on a “fronting” model, providing drugs to dealers on credit and collecting payment from their sales. Carbon County court documents describe a pattern of intimidation, with Rodriguez allegedly threatening “hot shots” – injections containing lethal doses of fentanyl – against anyone who owed him money, stole from him, or was suspected of cooperating with police. He also allegedly brandished firearms and knives to enforce compliance.

At an October press conference in Jim Thorpe, Carbon County, announcing the arrests, Carbon County District Attorney Michael Greek issued a warning to out-of-area traffickers targeting the Poconos region.

“This type of arrest, from somebody who’s not necessarily from this area, should be a message to anyone from Allentown to Reading to Philadelphia,” Greek said. “Don’t come to Carbon County and deal drugs.”

Attorney General Dave Sunday called the Carbon County case evidence that the opioid crisis has reached rural Pennsylvania and the Poconos.

“Communities like Jim Thorpe can sometimes lull ourselves into a false sense of security that the opioid crisis is something that only happens in cities,” Sunday said. “The truth is, these poisons have a significant presence in communities like this and all throughout the Commonwealth.”

The Carbon County Drug Task Force investigation remains active and ongoing, authorities said.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Robert C. Ahn is asked to contact the Carbon County Drug Task Force or the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Bureau of Narcotics Investigations.

Carbon County Case Numbers:
Cruz Rodriguez: MJ-56303-CR-0000267-2025
Justin Heacock: MJ-56303-CR-0000270-2025; CP-13-MD-0000641-2025
Jose Alfredo Nieves-Feliciano: MJ-56303-CR-0000271-2025
Elijah Marie Camacho: MJ-56303-CR-0000272-2025
Kayla Evert: MJ-56303-CR-0000266-2025
Christopher Hazlett: MJ-56303-CR-0000268-2025; CP-13-CR-0000834-2025
William Todd Carter: MJ-56303-CR-0000265-2025; CP-13-CR-0000840-2025
Robert C. Ahn: MJ-56303-CR-0000269-2025

Incident Number: BN1250041TM

All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.