PHOTOS: WEBSITE and iPAD | WIRELESS
Ryan Gavlick, aka "Paul Wall," was the initial target of the marijuana distribution operation, D.A. Risa Vetri Ferman said.
Investigators say they have been playing "cat-and-mouse" with the 26-year-old Gavlick for eight years. He's been able to game the system, authorities say, spending very little time in prison despite seven arrests.
Ferman said Gavlick was brought down thanks to a new law that allows police to target a person instead of the communications device for wiretapping. That's because drug dealers frequently change phones to avoid detection.
Police say Gavlick used 14 phones.
"That change in the law was critical for us to be able to go after this peron, go after this network, and take them down," Ferman said, who added Gavlick and his associates were responsible for a wave of violence through the west end of Norristown.
During the investigation, the D.A. said her office learned the supplier for Gavlick's marijuana was Jason Bishop of Philadelphia.
Eventually, police say, they learned that Gavlick was set to meet Bishop on March 8th to buy five pounds of marijuana.
Officers moved in, arresting Gavlick inside his vehicle at the Gulph Mills Apartments in Upper Merion. Bishop fled on foot, but was arrested a short distance away.
Immediately after the arrests, police executed 15 search warrants including locations in the counties of Montgomery, Delaware, Chester and Philadelphia. Evidence of Gavlick's drug organization was recovered including more than fifty (50) pounds of marijuana; $23,248.00 in cash; four (4) vehicles and two loaded firearms, Ferman said.
All of the suspects were arraigned on Monday. One of them, Jeremy Rotruck, struggled with detectives as he was led out of court.
When asked if he was selling drugs, Rotruck said "No I was not." When asked why he was arrested, Rotruck said "I was arrested in affiliation to them accusing me of selling drugs."
Gavlick is being held on $1,000,000 cash bail and Bishop is being held on $500,000 cash bail.
The full list of those arrested are:
1) Ryan Gavlick
862 Schuylkill Avenue, Apt. 328
Pottstown, PA 19465
- Corrupt Organization
- Possession with the Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance
- Criminal Conspiracy
- Criminal Use of a Telecommunication Facility
- Dealing in Proceeds of Unlawful Activities
- Violation of the Uniform Firearms Act
2) Jason Bishop
1249 North 56th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19131
- Corrupt Organization
- Possession with the Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance
- Criminal Conspiracy
- Criminal Use of a Telecommunication Facility
- Dealing in Proceeds of Unlawful Activities
3) Phillip Williams
410 Centre Avenue
Norristown, PA 19403
- Corrupt Organization
- Possession with the Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance
- Criminal Conspiracy
- Criminal Use of a Telecommunication Facility
- Dealing in Proceeds of Unlawful Activities
- Violation of the Uniform Firearms Act
4) Jeremy Rotruck
163 Rebel Road
King of Prussia, PA 19406
- Possession with the Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance
- Criminal Conspiracy
- Criminal Use of a Telecommunication Facility
- Dealing in Proceeds of Unlawful Activities
5) Woodley J. Baptiste
1249 North 56th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19131
- Corrupt Organization
- Possession with the Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance
- Criminal Conspiracy
- Possession of a Controlled Substance
6) Teaira Thompson
862 Schuylkill Avenue, Apt 328
Pottstown, PA 19465
- Violation of the Uniform Firearms Act
