Crime & Safety

Maple Shade Men Indicted in Alleged Cocaine Ring

Dominick M. Leonetti Jr. and Robert A. Schafer could be sentenced to 10 years in prison and $150,000 in fines if convicted of the cocaine charge.

Two Maple Shade men are among six indicted Wednesday on accusations of taking part in a South Jersey cocaine network.

state grand jury indicted Dominick M. Leonetti Jr., 48, and Robert A. Schafer, 25, both of Maple Shade, of second-degree conspiracy to distribute cocaine for their alleged part in the drug ring, authorities said.

A Collingswood man fingered as the leader of the alleged drug and gun ring faces the most serious charges.

Find out what's happening in Cinnaminsonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Nicholas C. Stens, 25, of Collingswood, stands accused in a 10-count indictment that he led a plan to sell both cocaine and guns, according to New Jersey Attorney General Paula T. Dow. If convicted on all counts, Stens could face a maximum 106.5 years in prison and more than $1 million in fines.

“We have indicted the alleged head of this drug ring on charges that he not only sold large quantities of cocaine in South Jersey, but also illegally sold guns,” Dow said in a statement. “He faces first-degree narcotics charges, as well as serious weapons charges.”

Find out what's happening in Cinnaminsonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Also indicted on second-degree conspiracy to distribute cocaine are Roberto L. Ortiz, 26, of Haddon Township; Joseph P. Hackney, 29, of Haddon Township; and Eugene “Rick” Wilson, 43, of National Park.

Hackney also was indicted on a charge of third-degree possession of cocaine. If convicted, Hackney could be sentenced to 15 years in a prison and $165,000 in fines.

Leonetti, Schafer and the other men indicted on the second-degree charge face a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a $150,000 fine if convicted.

The six men  in what authorities dubbed “Operation White Cloud.” According to reports, a home in the 100 block of Lawnside Avenue in Collingswood acted as a base for the drug and gun ring.

Authorities targeted the home for investigation in January after Stens reportedly sold a .40-caliber semi-automatic handgun and ammunition to an undercover Voorhees officer. The same officer later bought cocaine and a 12-gauge shotgun from Stens, according to state police.

Police seized 22 ounces of cocaine valued at more than $20,000, $15,000 in cash and a vehicle during the investigation.

In addition to the conspiracy to distribute cocaine charge, Stens was indicted on:

  • Two counts of distribution of cocaine (first degree)
  • Possession of cocaine with intent to distribute (first degree)
  • Two counts of distribution of cocaine within 500 feet of a public park (second degree)
  • Unlawful possession of a handgun (second degree)
  • Unlawful possession of a shotgun (third degree)
  • Two counts of unlawful disposition of a firearm (fourth degree)

Operation White Cloud represented a cooperative investigation by the FBI/South Jersey Violent Offenders Gang Task Force, New Jersey State Police, the Division of Criminal Justice, the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, the Camden and Burlington county prosecutor’s offices, and police from Collingswood, Haddon Township, Voorhees and Maple Shade.

“This is a good example of a coordinated, multi-agency investigation that targeted drug and gun trafficking,” Criminal Justice Director Stephen J. Taylor said. “We will continue to partner with law enforcement agencies at all levels to combat these twin threats to the public.”

 


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.