May 15, 2015 3 min read

A New Eagle man already facing trial on drug charges after he was arrested last month by Monongahela police as part of a sweep was one of 14 people indicted this week on drug and weapons charges in connection with drug trafficking in Clairton.

Donald Leroy “Curly Top” Mitchell, 34, was picked up Friday morning by Monongahela police at his home at 136 First Ave., New Eagle, and turned over to FBI agents, said police Chief Brian Tempest. Mitchell had just been released from Washington County jail at about 7 a.m. Friday after serving a sentence imposed by Judge John DiSalle for driver’s license violations.

Mitchell was indicted by the federal grand jury on charges of conspiracy to distribute and possess a kilogram or more of heroin, two counts of possession with intent to distribute heroin and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

The charges are part of six separate, but related, indictments returned Tuesday and unsealed Friday. Mitchell is one of four names in the first indictment that alleges that he and three others conspired to distribute and possess heroin with the intent to distribute one kilogram of heroin between January and April.

Also facing charges as part of this indictment are Jarran “Screw” Bell, 34, formerly of McKeesport, who is currently incarcerated; Krystle Barretto, 29, also known as Krystal Barretto, of McKeesport; and Amanda Santiago, 23, also known as Mandy Santiago, of Jersey City, N.J.

The investigation was done by a federally administered Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force. If found guilty, the law provides for maximum total sentences ranging from up to 20 years to life in prison as well as mandatory minimum sentences starting at five years in prison. Fines ranging from $250,000 up to $20 million also may apply.

Mitchell was ordered held for court by District Judge Mark Wilson on charges of possession and possession with intent to deliver heroin, possession of paraphernalia and criminal use of a communications facility following an April 16 preliminary hearing. He was released on those charges after his hearing after posting bond when it was reduced from $500,000 to $50,000.

Mitchell was one of a dozen people taken into custody as part of the sweep conducted April 6 and 7 by Monongahela police. He was accused of selling heroin to a confidential informant for the department.

The informant reportedly called Mitchell on Jan. 13 and made arrangements to meet him in the parking lot on a business on West Main Street. The informant, who was being watched by city police officers, paid Mitchell $60 in exchange for a small bundle of stamp bags of heroin.

Mitchell is scheduled to be formally arraigned on the county charges June 4.