ELYSBURG - After assisting Ralpho Township police with the largest-ever drug bust in the township in May, two Elysburg residents say they have been forgotten by police as threats continue from the family of a neighbor they helped put behind bars.
"We assisted them greatly, and now we're left hanging out to dry," said one of the men, John Sasseen.
A seven-month investigation headed by township police and members of the Northumberland-Montour Drug Task Force led to the arrest of William Nicolas White, 48, of 231 Center St., on a felony offense of possession with intent to deliver eight to 10 pounds of marijuana and misdemeanors of possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia. He remains in Northumberland County Prison Friday; he has failed to post $100,000 bail.
Sasseen, who lives at a neighboring residence with his step-brother, said members of White's family have been throwing garbage on the property and threatening their lives and to burn down their home.
"We're not afraid of the them, it's just the idea of when I call the police, no action is taken," said Sasseen.
Ralpho Township Police Chief Stuart Appel said police are aware of the concerns, but he said he would not comment because of the ongoing investigation.
$22,000 in pot
Police had called a press conference at the Ralpho Township Municipal Building to announce the May 6 bust.
According to a criminal complaint filed by Ralpho Township Patrolman Christopher Grow, police obtained a search warrant for White's residence May 4, at which time they seized the marijuana, which had an estimated street value of $22,000. Also seized was approximately $200 worth of cocaine, an undisclosed amount of cash, drug packaging, measuring equipment and other drug paraphernalia.
Police said White, who has resided in Ralpho Township for more than a decade, is originally from New York.
Appel at the time said the investigation had started in October, and Mount Carmel Police Sgt. Todd Owens, field supervisor for the task force, said approximately 20 officers assisted.
The large amount of marijuana and the manner in which it was packaged indicate that the drugs went beyond White's personal use, police have said.
Landlord supportive
Sasseen's landlord, Gary Woodruff, who also lives nearby, said there have been drug problems in the neighborhood for at least 20 years. In fact, the past three families who lived in the home that Sasseen and his stepbrother are renting were forced to leave.
Woodruff commended the stepbrothers for being the first residents in the neighborhood to come forward and help put an end to the situation.
"I have no idea why the police let it go for so long," he said.
Woodruff said the two tenants have become good friends and great neighbors, and he would hate to see them leave.
The landlord said he and his wife are just as frustrated as the tenants with police not pursuing any more arrests and disregarding the threats.
"To help them and then be called a liar - it's a slap in the face," said Cindy Woodruff.
Second thoughts
Sasseen's stepbrother explained why they decided to take action, but wonders if it was the right move.
"We did it because there are a lot of good kids in the neighborhood and we don't want to see them get involved (in drugs)," he said. "Now I know why people don't want to get involved."
The stepbrothers said they wanted to open the community's eyes to the drug problem and hope others take a stand.
However, along with the retaliation, they said the drug problem continues.
"I hate to say it," said Sasseen, "but if we would've known we were going to be treated like that by the police, we would've just picked up and moved like the other tenants."