SHAMOKIN - A preliminary hearing for an alleged major cocaine and heroin dealer in the Shamokin area was continued Tuesday due to a conflict of interest with the attorney scheduled to represent him.
The proceeding for Antonio Carrer before Magisterial District Judge John Gembic III was postponed at the request of Northumberland County Public Defender Michael Romance, who told the judge he had a conflict serving as the defendant's attorney because he also represented the confidential informant involved in the case.
Carrer, 25, who resides in a second-floor apartment at 412 N. Rock St., Shamokin, was charged by Shamokin Cpl. Bryan Primerano with felonies of delivery of cocaine, two counts of possession with intent to deliver cocaine, delivery of heroin, two counts of possession with intent to deliver heroin, criminal use of a communication facility and flight to avoid apprehension.
Primerano allege Carrer is a major cocaine, crack cocaine and heroin dealer in the area and was wanted by the Pennsylvania State Parole Board on a charge of robbery when he was taken into custody last month.
Primerano said a search warrant was obtained for Carrer's residence, where police seized 11.3 grams of cocaine, 9.4 grams of crack cocaine, 17 packets of heroin, a digital scale, syringe, three marijuana cigarettes, packaging material, two cell phones and $630 in cash.
Carrer was recommitted to Northumberland County Prison in Sunbury.
Sergio Crespo, 37, of the Bronx, N.Y., another major heroin dealer in the area, previously waived to court his right to a preliminary hearing before Gembic. Crespo was charged by Primerano and Agent Barry Howe of the state Attorney General's Office with importing and delivering large amounts of heroin from the Bronx to Shamokin between January 2009 and February 2010.
Crespo's charges include felonies of delivery of heroin, possession with intent to deliver heroin, criminal conspiracy and criminal use of a communication facility. The charges were recommended by the 13th Statewide Investigating Grand Jury in a sealed order signed April 13, 2010, by Supervising Judge Barry Feudale.
Crespo was arrested last month by members of a Federal Marshall Task Force in the Bronx after being a fugitive from justice.
Since then, he had been held at Rikers Island in New York City before waiving extradition to Pennsylvania.
Crespo was incarcerated at Northumberland County Prison before being set free last week on $50,000 unsecured bail. Crespo must adhere to bail conditions imposed on him by Gembic.