A Wapwallopen man investigators say was the main cocaine supplier in a drug ring has appealed his case to the state Superior Court.
Anthony Manchio, 51, was sentenced last month to five to 10 years in state prison on 13 related charges he pleaded guilty to in April. Investigators said Manchio and 22 other members of the Outlaws Motorcycle Club were charged in the ongoing investigation known as Operation Avalanche.
Manchio appealed his sentence to the state Superior Court with the assistance of his attorney, Brian Corcoran. According to court records, the investigation began in July 2008 when agents with the Bureau of Narcotics Investigation unit received information that the group was selling large quantities of cocaine in the Wilkes-Barre area.
Undercover agents raided the Outlaws Motorcycle Club, based in a clubhouse at 115 N. Main St., Ashley. Thousands of calls were intercepted through court-authorize wiretaps that led agents to identify Manchio as the Outlaws’ main cocaine supplier.
WILKES-BARRE – Attorneys involved in the homicide case of two Hazleton men charged with their role in the stabbing death of another man met Tuesday to discuss several requests before a Dec. 12 trial.
Angel Sanchez, 20, and Rodolfo Hiraldo Perez, 25, are charged in the Jan. 16 death of 21-year-old Vladimir Ruiz.
Assistant District Attorney Daniel Zola and attorneys Demetrius Fannick, who represents Sanchez, and David Lampman, who represents Perez, discussed questions to ask potential jurors, photos to be used at the trial and other matters.
Fannick and Lampman also said they are requesting to have the joint trial of the two men severed.
Luzerne County Judge David Lupas said he’ll issue a ruling on the matters discussed Tuesday, and that another hearing will be held on Dec. 5.
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