Police Searching For Woman Who Provided Firearm To Drug Dealer

Hazleton Police conducted a three month investigation and charged Dominique Mack, 30 Years of Age, of New York with 5 Felony counts of Delivery of a Controlled Substance (Crack Cocaine, Heroin and Fentanyl), 5 Felony counts Criminal Use of a Communication Facility.

The Hazleton Police Department Narcotics Division in conjunction with the Luzerne County Drug Task Force, West Hazleton and Butler Township Police Department conducted an investigation into the Sale of Illegal Narcotics specifically crack cocaine, heroin and fentanyl in the City of Hazleton.  The investigation uncovered a Narcotics Trafficking Operation headquartered out of 599 Carson Street.

On October 3, 2019, the Hazleton Police Department's Special Operations Group, Patrol Division and Narcotics Division in collaboration with the Luzerne County Drug Task Force executed a search warrant and raided 599 Carson Street, in the rear.

Upon entry officers encountered Mack in an upstairs bathroom where he attempted to flush approximately 200 packets of heroin/fentanyl.  Mack also attempted to conceal 4.3 grams of crack cocaine and a firearm in the vicinity of a sleeping juvenile.  During the raid, officers encountered a 2nd juvenile and adult female in the residence.

Mack was taken into custody and arraigned by District Justice Joseph D. Zola.  Investigation revealed Mack had previously been convicted of a Felony, prohibiting him from possessing a firearm.

Additional charges are being filed against Mack for Endangering the Welfare of Children, 3 Counts of Possession with Intent to Distribute, Persons not to Possess a Firearm, Use, Manufacture, Control, Sell or Transfer Firearms and Tampering with Evidence.

The search and raid yielded;
•       14 grams of suspected raw Heroin/Fentanyl (Which would yield approximately 900 packets for retail sale)
•       46 grams of packaged suspected heroin/fentanyl (Approximately 200 packets for retail sale)
•       4.3 grams of crack cocaine
•       Scales and drug packaging materials
•       .45 caliber Springfield XDs Handgun
•       Approximately $2,500 in US Currency


More recently, a follow up investigation into the firearm recovered in the possession of wanted felon Dominique Mack revealed it was registered to Jennifer Arcelay.  The firearm was purchased at a local gun shop on 09/28/2019.  Investigators recovered video surveillance that revealed Mack accompanying Arcelay and providing the funds for the purchase of the firearm, which Mack is prohibited from owning or possessing.

A “Straw Purchase”, is a criminal act in which, a firearm, is purchased by one person on behalf of another, who’s legally unable to make the purchase.

Jennifer Ann Arcelay, 43, of Hazleton was charged this week with multiple felony and misdemeanor offenses for a “straw purchase” of a handgun including the unauthorized sale/transfer of firearms, providing a materially false written statement, conspiracy, and unsworn falsification to authorities.
The investigation further revealed Arcelay previously purchased several other firearms and reported them stolen to Hazleton Police after the execution of the search warrant at 599 Carson Street.

A felony Arrest Warrant was issued for Arcelay on 12/20/19 and is actively being sought by Hazleton Police.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Hazleton Police.


Following the search warrant and raid at 599 Carson Street, additional information was obtained revealing Melissa Peguero’s involvement and knowledge of the narcotics operation being run from the location.

Based on the multi-faceted investigation, on 11/15/19, Melissa Z. Peguero, 33, of Hazleton was charged with endangering the welfare of children, possession of a controlled substance, and possession of drug paraphernalia after police located her and two children within the residence where illegal narcotics, packaging, processing materials, and a stolen handgun were recovered. 

Melissa Z. Peguero was recently charged and will be arraigned and appear in court at Magistrate Joseph Zola's on January 9, 2020.​