Multiple Arrests, Charges, and Warrants Stem From Major Drug Investigation

The West Hazleton Police Department, the Hazleton City Police Department and the Luzerne County Drug Task Force announce the following arrests following a narcotics investigation throughout the months of March and April in 2019:


Dawn Cragle, 43, of West Hazleton charged with 4 felony counts of Delivery of a Controlled Substance(Methamphetamine), 2 felony counts of Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Deliver(Fentanyl and Methamphetamine) and 4 felony counts of Criminal Use of a Communication Facility.​​

​Brian Dickinson, 37, of West Hazleton charged with one felony count of Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Deliver(Fentanyl)

​Timothy Pendergast, 25, of Hazle Township charged with one Felony count of Delivery of a Controlled Substance(Methamphetamine) and 1 felony count of Criminal Use of a Communication Facility.

Scott Wanamaker, 42, of Weston charged with 2 counts of possession of a Controlled Substance(methamphetamine and heroin). Wanamaker also had a bench warrant issued by Schullykill County.

John Lorah, 39, of Shenandoah charged with Firearm not be carried without a license, 1 count of possession of a controlled substance(methamphetamine) and count of possession of drug paraphernalia.

​Arrest warrants issued for the following:

Brittany Hinkle, 24, of McAdoo charged with 1 felony count of Delivery of a Controlled Substance and 1 felony count of Criminal Use of a Communication Facility for a delivery of methamphetamine.

Charges to be filed against the following:

Gianna Julian, 21, of Mahanoy City charged with misdemeanor counts of possession of a controlled substance(fentanyl), possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a small amount of marijuana.

Christina Klick, 44, of West Hazleton charged with possession of a controlled substance(fentanyl) and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Austin Calarco, 21, of West Hazleton charged with possession of a controlled substance(marijuana) and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Bruce Nelligan, 29, of Orrtanna charged with possession of a controlled substance(methamphetamine) and possession of drug paraphernalia.

​Details of Investigation:

Throughout March and April of 2019 Investigators conducted several controlled purchases of methamphetamine from Dawn Cragle and Brian Dickinson’s residence at 418-420 West Green Street in the borough of West Hazleton. This investigation led up to a search warrant being executed at Cragle’s residence on April 03, 2019 as well as warrants being served at the Hazleton Motor Inn Room 102 in the City of Hazleton. Just prior to the search warrant Cragle and Dickinson were taken into custody during a traffic stop where they were found to be in possession of 30.2 grams of packaged fentanyl and several grams of methamphetamine. Several grams of methamphetamine were purchased from the residence as well. Cragle would serve customers and arrange the sales to customers via telephone.

As investigators served the warrant on Green Street a team served the warrant on The Hazleton Motor Inn Room 102 where Scott Wanamaker was attempting to flush methamphetamine down the toilet and was also taken into custody.

Cragle, Dickinson, Wanamaker and Pendergast were all taken to the Luzerne County Correctional Facility for overnight arraignment.

This joint investigation was conducted by Investigators from the West Hazleton Police Department, The Hazleton City Police Department and the Luzerne County Drug Task Force.
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Also assisting were members from the West Hazleton Police Department Patrol Division, The Hazleton City Police Department Patrol Division, The Hazleton City Police Department Special Operations Group, The Sugarloaf Township Police Department and the Butler Township Police Department.