NEW YORK – Two members of a major heroin distribution ring based in New York City and extended into Orange and Sullivan counties as well as Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, pled guilty.
Brian Bacon, who called himself “The Prime Minister,” 52, of the Bronx, and Jerome Turnbough, 55, of Newburgh, both pled guilty to felony criminal sale of a controlled substance and will be sentenced to six years in state prison when they return to Orange County Court in July.
Bacon had sole up to a kilogram of heroin per month with alleged assistance from his son, Tamar Dillard, and his girlfriend, Donna Marie Haggans, who were integral to the packaging and delivery of heroin to customers and resellers, as well as the handling of money, authorities alleged.
It was alleged that the drugs were transported to Newburgh on Metro-North trains from Harlem.
Eleven others were charged as part of “Operation Iron Horse,” and they included Devonna Barrera, also known as “Creechbarreras,” 22, of Newburgh; Jamaul Aziz, 35, of Monticello; Eddie Cullins, 44, of Newburgh; and Gilbert Maxi, 22, of Newburgh.
