RIVERHEAD - Suffolk County District Attorney Thomas Spota Tuesday announced the arrests of 17 people after a year-long investigation of cocaine trafficking by the East End Drug Task Force in eastern Suffolk County. 

Thirteen people in two separate Riverhead-based cocaine distribution networks are charged with second degree conspiracy to distribute cocaine. District Attorney Spota said a grand jury is currently reviewing evidence and considering additional criminal charges against those arrested in each criminal enterprise.  The investigation included the use of wiretaps and electronic surveillance.

One of the suspected ringleaders, Vincent Love,45, of Riverhead, is charged with three counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance and one count of second degree conspiracy.   Detectives seized one and one-half kilos of cocaine from Love’s car on July 19 in Queens.  An UZI submachine gun, in a duffel bag bearing Love’s name, was confiscated by detectives from Lathenia Davis, 39, from her home at 43 Sherwood Drive in Mastic Beach.  Davis is charged with second degree conspiracy and fourth degree criminal possession of a weapon.  Love is incarcerated in the Suffolk County jail in lieu of $500,000 cash bail; Davis is free on $1,500 bail.

During the execution of a search warrant at Love’s Doctors Path home, detectives recovered a loaded shotgun, scales, one eighth of an ounce of cocaine, packaging material and what appeared to be two packaged kilograms of cocaine.  Love told detectives police the packages contained fake cocaine that he kept on hand in his home to confuse robbers in the event of a burglary.  Crime lab tests confirmed Love’s story.

A search warrant executed at the Riverside home of Love’s codefendant Scott Baker resulted in the seizure of 183 grams of cocaine, scales and packaging materials.  Baker, 41, is charged with second degree conspiracy and second degree criminal possession of a controlled substance.  The cocaine found in Baker’s bedroom closet was divided into baggies containing 87 grams of powder cocaine and 96 grams of crack.     

In addition to Baker, five other defendants believed to be part of Vincent Love’s criminal enterprise are charged with second degree conspiracy to distribute cocaine, a class “B” felony.  The five suspects are Christopher Magee, 35, of 821 E. Main Street in Riverhead, Bob Walker, 45, of 764 Flanders Road, Flanders, Charles Bowens, 34, of 10 Fords Lane, Southampton, Clinton J. Holmes, 46, of 162 Bellport Avenue in Bellport, and 51-year old William R. Jennings of 821 E. Main Street, Riverhead. 

Aisha Walston, 29, of 12 Pointsetta Avenue in Middle Island was arrested with Vincent Love in Queens on July 19 and is charged with first degree possession of a controlled substance and second degree criminal facilitation. 

Antonio Hobson, 26, of 49 2nd Street Riverhead was arrested July 19 by detectives and charged with one count of fourth degree possession of cocaine.  During the execution of a search warrant, Hobson was found to possess a clear, plastic bag containing eleven grams of crack.

Initial charges against Jeremy A. Kennedy, 27, of 12 Meadowbrook Lane in Flanders include one count of criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th degree, one count of criminal possession of a weapon 4th degree, unlawfully dealing with fireworks, a misdemeanor, one count of criminal use of drug paraphernalia and one count of unlawful possession of marijuana, a violation.

Rachel Bracey, 33, was arrested July 28 and charged with criminal facilitation second degree.  Bracey is on probation for a 2004 conviction for attempted assault.

Detectives believe the second cocaine distribution ring is headed by Salvatore David Sapienza, 48, of 128 Kings Drive in Riverhead.  Sapienza faces one count of second degree conspiracy to distribute cocaine, two counts of third degree criminal sale and two counts of third degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and one charge of fourth degree criminal possession of a controlled substance.

Sapienza was initially arrested following the execution of search warrants in Riverhead on June 25 at SAP’S Auto at 944 East Main Street and a garage rented by the defendant on Route 58.  Sapienza was arraigned on the fourth degree possession charge July 28 after crime lab results for 160 pills seized from the Route 58 garage identified the pills as prescription painkillers known as Vicodin.  Sapienza is free on $20,000 cash bail.

Sapienza’s codefendants are charged with Conspiracy 2nd degree, a class ‘B’ Felony punishable by a maximum of eight and one-third to 25 years imprisonment.  They are Barbara J. Divello 245 Bayview Avenue, Mattituck, 44 year old John S. Christie of 12135 Sound Avenue, Mattituck, Jeff Guida, 48, of Fairway Drive, Riverhead, 49 year old Robert Paladino of 485 Racoon Road in Mattituck and 27 year old Timothy Thilberg of 415 Oak Street in Mattituck.  Each defendant has pled not guilty.