CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. – A major drug bust in Franklin County following an investigation into the distribution of large quantities of heroin in the Chambersburg area by a drug trafficking ring known as the Rashawn Spriggs Drug Trafficking Organization or DTO.
The Franklin County Drug Task identified, Rashawn Spriggs, AKA: “Shizz,” as a large scale supplier of heroin in the Chambersburg area. Investigators conducted numerous interviews of confidential informants, cooperating defendants, and other persons involved with the use and/or distribution of heroin in the Chambersburg area, which led to the identification of Spriggs. They also gleaned from these interviews that Spriggs utilized several people as “runners,” who would distribute heroin on his behalf.
Investigators also learned that Spriggs utilized several “stash,” or “trap” houses, where he and his co-conspirators would establish distribution points for heroin. Surveillance of these locations confirmed this information. Investigators observed numerous known heroin users stopping at these locations. Most of these visits were very short in duration, which is an indicator of possible drug activity.
Traffic stops were conducted on several vehicles observed visiting these locations, and heroin and heroin-related drug paraphernalia were both recovered from several of these stops. Several occupants of these stopped vehicles were found to have purchased heroin from Spriggs or one of his co-conspirators at one of the locations that were under surveillance.
As part of the investigation, several controlled purchases of heroin were made directly from Spriggs or one of his co-conspirators. Additionally, electronic surveillance conducted during this investigation corroborated the information obtained through other sources. The electronic surveillance showed that Spriggs personally distributed heroin and also directed other members of his DTO to do the same. The electronic surveillance also showed that Spriggs referred individuals who contacted him seeking to purchase heroin to various co-conspirators within the Spriggs DTO in order to facilitate the distribution of heroin.
On Thursday, January 7, search warrants were executed at the following locations associated with this investigation:
* 120 Lincoln Way West, Apt. 2B, Chambersburg
* 55 North Franklin Street, Chambersburg
*644 Bassett Drive, Chambersburg
During the searches of these locations, investigators recovered heroin, digital scales, packaging, U.S. currency, and other evidence of drug use and sales. Several persons were also taken into custody on various charges related to their involvement in this conspiracy.
The suspects taken into custody:
* Rashawn Spriggs, a.k.a. “Shizz”, 28, 644 Bassett Drive, Chambersburg
*John Ray Barnes, 55, 55 N. Franklin Street, Chambersburg
*Chelsea Shannon Sheeder, 25, 257 Martin Avenue, Chambersburg
*Joshua Wayne Baker, 19, 357 Lincoln Way West, Chambersburg
Each of the above individuals was arraigned by District Justice Kelly Rock, who set bail for all individuals at $175,000.
Another associate of Rashawn Spriggs was taken into custody on Tuesday January 5, after an investigation determined heroin was being sold from the Carson’s Motel, 414 West Loudon Street, in Chambersburg. Surveillance was established at that location, following a tip that an associate of Spriggs was distributing heroin from the motel. Several known heroin users were observed visiting the motel. Traffic stops were conducted on several vehicles leaving the area and heroin and heroin paraphernalia were recovered from several of those stops. Investigators learned during these traffic stops that Daejon Spriggs was distributing heroin on behalf of Rashawn Spriggs from Room 117 of the motel.
Daejon Spriggs was then placed under surveillance. During this surveillance, Daejon Spriggs was observed conducting a possible drug transaction with a black female subject who was observed pushing two children in a stroller on South Federal Street, near West Queen Street, in Chambersburg. Following the transaction, this female was stopped and crack cocaine was recovered from her person. Spriggs was then taken into custody several minutes later and was found to be in possession of cocaine, heroin, scales, three cellphones, and over $4,000 in cash.
Daejon A. Spriggs, 18, 318 West King Street, Chambersburg, was charged with Possession With Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance and sent to the Franklin County Jail on $150,000 bail.
The investigation is ongoing and future arrests of individuals associated with Spriggs’ organization are anticipated.
The following agencies participated in this investigation:
1. Chambersburg Borough Police
2. Pennsylvania State Police Troop H Vice Unit
3. Pennsylvania State Police Chambersburg
4. The Shippensburg Borough Police Department
5. The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office
6. The Franklin County District Attorney’s Office
Anyone with information regarding this investigation or other drug activity occurring within Franklin County is asked to contact the Franklin County Drug Task Force at 1-800-344-3127. All information provided is confidential and callers may remain anonymous if they wish.
