Suspected ringleader in drug, gun ring, in custody

A Saylorsburg man suspected of leading a drug and gun ring in Carbon and Monroe counties is behind bars.

Eric Waldron, 45, faces charges on three counts each of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and possession of a controlled substance, and well as counts of corrupt organizations; dealing in proceeds of unlawful activities; criminal use of a communications facility; persons not to possess a firearm; sale or transfer of firearm; receiving stolen property.

Eight suspected Monroe and Carbon county drug and illegal gun dealers were charged June 29.

Attorney General Josh Shapiro said at that time the dealers sold $1.3 million in heroin, crystal meth and other narcotics over a 20-month period in Stroudsburg, Albrightsville and surrounding areas.

Agents, working with detectives from the office of Monroe County District Attorney E. David Christine Jr. and state police, identified Waldron as the ringleader of the drug ring.

According to police, the ring’s main supplier of illegal guns was Eric Borger, 55, of Kunkletown. Dorthea Price, 57, of Albrightsville is charged with supplying heroin. William “Spanky” Shannon IV, 43, of Stroudsburg is charged with being the crystal meth supplier.

Starting last September, agents began making a series of controlled drug purchases from ring members. Some of the heroin bought during the investigation was believed to contain fentanyl, an opioid pain medication that is 100 times more potent than morphine.

Following Waldron’s incarceration last October on unrelated charges, his girlfriend, Paula Brown, 39, of Long Pond, told an informant she was now running the ring. During one drug buy, Brown, who is still at large, told the informant she could sell a gun — but first needed to discuss it with Waldron. Brown later sold a .22-caliber handgun to the informant.

Investigators seized 39 handguns, shotguns, rifles, assault rifles and ammunition, as well as heroin, crystal meth, pills, other drugs and drug packaging materials.

Additional people charged include William Rutt Jr., 51, of Saylorsburg; Joseph St. Clair, 58, of East Stroudsburg; and Melissa Dennis, 40, of East Stroudsburg.

Waldron is scheduled to have a preliminary hearing at 10 a.m. July 27 before District Judge Colleen Mancuso of Brodheadsville.

Waldron is currently incarcerated in the Monroe County Correctional Facility in lieu of $100,000 monetary bail.

The five defendants originally in custody were arraigned June 29 before Magisterial District Justice Colleen Mancuso. Bail was set at $250,000 for the arrested defendants.

The court date for all the other defendants in the case has been continued from July 6 to Aug. 3 before Mancuso.