From staff reports
A Franklin man is facing an additional criminal charge in connection with a “corrupt organization” distributing heroin and fentanyl in Venango County between December 2019 and November 2020.
Sugarcreek Borough police said in a criminal complaint that during an investigation into a drug ring headed by Franco Siciliano and Donald Albritton-King that sold “large amounts” of heroin and fentanyl in Venango County, a confidential informant made contact with Samuel Phillips, 35, through Siciliano.
The informant bought 17 bags containing heroin, fentanyl and tramadol from Phillips in October 2020 when Siciliano was unavailable to make the delivery, the complaint said. The informant at other times obtained drugs from Phillips while Siciliano was present and directed the delivery, according to the complaint.
Phillips has been charged with a felony count of corrupt organizations-employee, and he was arraigned Monday and placed in the Venango County jail after being unable to post bail.
His preliminary hearing is scheduled April 14 in Central Court.
He was held for court in January on charges of manufacture, delivery or possession with intent to manufacture or deliver and criminal use of a communication facility. The other two charges were dismissed.
The cases against Albritton-King, 43, and Siciliano, 40, are making their way through the Venango County court system.
