Five Defendants Arrested for Trafficking Heroin, Fentanyl and Crack Cocaine in Riverhead Area

An indictment was unsealed today in federal court in Central Islip charging Robert Quarles, Charles Scruggs, Michael Steketee and Deena Colgan with conspiring to distribute heroin, fentanyl and cocaine base in the Riverhead area.  Quarles, Scruggs and Steketee were arrested this morning, and were arraigned this afternoon before United States Magistrate Judge Arlene R. Lindsay, where they were ordered detained.  A related criminal complaint has also been filed charging Tyrone Ligon with possession with intent to distribute cocaine, heroin and fentanyl.  Ligon was arrested this morning and was also ordered detained by Magistrate Judge Lindsay at his arraignment this afternoon.  Colgan is in custody and will be arraigned on April 2, 2019.

Richard P. Donoghue, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, and William F. Sweeney, Jr., Assistant Director-in-Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), announced the charges.

“As alleged, the defendants sold dangerous drugs with no regard for the harm caused to the users or residents of the community,” stated United States Attorney Donoghue.  “This Office and our law enforcement partners at the FBI and the East End Drug Task Force will continue to tirelessly investigate and prosecute individuals who contribute to the opioid epidemic.”

“These dealers who allegedly trafficked in deadly illegal drugs don’t see the destruction left in their wake, they only see the money they make from pushing and selling.  The opioid deaths in our community and our country get worse each day, but the FBI Long Island Gang Task Force and our law enforcement partners won’t stop investigating and arresting all the dealers we can to keep more people from dying,” stated FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge Sweeney.

Between January 2018 and March 2019, the defendants were involved in a conspiracy to distribute several controlled substances, including over one kilogram of heroin, 40 grams of fentanyl, and crack cocaine.  At the time of his arrest, Quarles was found in possession of distribution quantities of crack cocaine and heroin.  Ligon was also found in possession of narcotics when he was taken into custody.

The charges in the indictment and complaint are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.  If convicted, Colgan, Quarles, Scruggs and Steketee face up to life imprisonment; Ligion faces up to 20 years in prison.

The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Long Island Criminal Division.  Assistant United States Attorney Michael Maffei is in charge of the prosecution.

The Defendants:

ROBERT QUARLES (also known as “Black”)

Age: 43

Mastic, New York

CHARLES SCRUGGS (also known as “Chuck”)

Age: 31

Riverhead, New York

MICHAEL STEKETEE

Age: 41

Flanders, New York

TYRONE LIGON

Age: 49

Southampton, New York

DEENA COLGAN

Age: 47

Riverhead, New York

E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 19-CR-156 (DJH)