D.A. responds to Coatesville ‘crisis’ with 24 arrests

He blames peak in violent crime on insufficient police resources

By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, The Times

William Curtis Shockley (from top left), Deatrick Twadell Johnson, Herman Edward McMullen, Lyntrell Hernandez, Marciano Nunez-Juarez, Miguel Rico-Villalobos, Marquise James, and Julian Watkins.

Underscoring the need for permanent leadership in the Coatesville Police Department, Chester County District Attorney Tom Hogan announced the results of a two-month criminal probe that generated 24 arrests so far for crimes ranging from aggravated assault to drug trafficking.

Hogan said a spike in violent crime occurred in Coatesville after the city reduced its police staffing levels and lost its police chief, peaking with three homicides in the Coatesville area within five days in early July.  In response, Hogan said he initiated “Operation Silent Night.”

“Too often, the silence of the night in Coatesville was shattered by the sounds of gunshots,” Hogan said.  “We unleashed ‘Operation Silent Night’ to take the criminals off the streets and to give the good people in Coatesville some much-needed peace and quiet.”

Hogan said law enforcement used a rolling series of search warrants to knock out drug houses.  He said police targeted violent offenders and organizations, built cases from newly acquired information, and kept constant pressure on the criminal element in Coatesville.

Sterling Carter (from top left), Jordan Mayo, Blaine Gerald, Wakeem Bowman, Donna Frazier, Gupree White, Danye Marie McMullen and Martin Astudillo.

“With the police department understaffed and lacking a permanent police chief, Coatesville was in a crisis,” Hogan said.  “Chester County law enforcement stepped into the gap to give Coatesville PD time to get new leadership and start hiring new police officers.  Now is the time for Coatesville to complete the hiring of a new chief and begin the process of returning Coatesville PD to full strength.”

“Operation Silent Night” resulted in a significant number of arrests for major crimes, including armed robbery, aggravated assault, witness intimidation, and drug dealing, Hogan said.  Those arrested included a reputed street-gang leader known as “Pumpkin,” William C. Shockley Jr., 24, who has already been held for trial on multiple charges including aggravated assault, robbery and witness intimidation.

Hogan said the defendants were arraigned as the operation proceeded. All were taken into custody except for Anthony Grove, 32, of Coatesville, who is accused of drug delivery, reckless endangerment, and fleeing and eluding police.

Jorge Eduardo Penna (from top left), Crystal Stanley, Jennifer Hoskin, Latoya Ross, Isabel Marie Culp, Monique Shirelle Mull, Joshua Smith and Anthony Grove.

Hogan said the operation was spearheaded by the Chester County District Attorney’s Office Drug Unit and Chester County Detectives, working with the Coatesville Police Department, Pennsylvania State Police, and officers from the Chester County Municipal Drug Task Force (MDTF).  MDTF officers from the following police departments participated: West Goshen, Downingtown, West Chester, West Whiteland, Kennett Square, Tredyffrin, North Coventry, and Westtown-East Goshen Regional.  The Western Chester County Emergency Response Team also assisted in tactical operations.

Besides Shockley and Grove, the defendants and their charges are Latoya Ross, 28, of Philadelphia, possession with intent to deliver, prohibited offensive weapons, and criminal conspiracy; Joshua Smith, 18, of Coatesville, possession with intent to deliver and delivery of a controlled substance; Isabel Marie Culp, 31, of Philadelphia, possession with intent to deliver and criminal conspiracy; Monique Shirelle Mull, 25, of Philadelphia, possession with intent to deliver and criminal conspiracy; Jordan Mayo, 22, of Coatesville, possession with intent to deliver and delivery of a controlled substance; Blaine Gerald, 32, of Coatesville, possession of a controlled substance; Jorge Eduardo Penna, 31, of Coatesville, also known as Juan De Dios Alpizarpena, possession with intent to deliver, delivery, weapons, and an immigration detainer;  Crystal Stanley, 34, of Coatesville, possession with intent to deliver and delivery of a controlled substance; Jennifer Hoskins, 35, of Coatesville, possession of a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia; Wakeem Bowman, 19, of Coatesville, possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance; Gupree White, 24, of Coatesville, possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance; Lyntrell Hernandez, 26, of Coatesville, possession with intent to deliver and delivery of a controlled substance; Martin Astudillo, 29, of Coatesville, possession of a controlled substance; Marciano Nunez-Juarez, 48, of Coatesville, possession with intent to deliver and delivery of a controlled substance, resisting arrests, criminal conspiracy, and an immigration detainer; Miguel Rico-Villalobos, 20, of Coatesville, possession with intent to deliver and delivery of a controlled substance, resisting arrest, criminal conspiracy, and an immigration detainer; Julian Watkins, 20, of Coatesville, possession with intent to deliver,  delivery of a controlled substance and theft; Marquise James, 25, of Coatesville, possession with intent to deliver,  delivery of a controlled substance, and dealing in unlawful activities; Danye Marie McMullen, 29, of Coatesville, possession with intent to deliver and delivery of a controlled substance; Sterling Carter, 30, of Coatesville, possession with intent to deliver,  delivery of a controlled substance, resisting arrest, and aggravated assault on a police officer; Deatrick Twadell Johnson, 25, of Coatesville, possession with intent to deliver,  delivery of a controlled substance and firearms offenses; Herman Edward McMullen, also known as “Pluck,” possession with intent to deliver,  delivery of a controlled substance, and criminal conspiracy; and Donna Frazier, 51, of Coatesville, possession of a controlled substance..

Hogan said additional arrests are pending. “This operation was designed to produce both arrests and hard intelligence about criminal activities in Coatesville,” Hogan said.  “The criminals in Coatesville better pay attention.  We are coming for you and we will never quit.”