Seven Charged In Heroin, Cocaine Busts In Clarkstown, Orangetown, Suffern

ROCKLAND COUNTY, N.Y. -- Seven people have been charged with selling or possessing heroin and cocaine in Clarkstown and surrounding communities, Rockland County District Attorney Thomas P. Zugibe said this week.

Oxycodone, Xanax, Ecstasy, and marijuana were also sold in street deals in Suffern and Orangetown, Zugibe said.

The eighth person named in a 24-count indictment is a 17-year-old who is facing weapons charges after he was found with a gravity knife, police said.

The arrests were part of a collaborative and coordinated response by authorities to open-air drug dealing complaints made by residents of the three communities, Zugibe said.

Arrested were Heather Kowalski, 22, of Suffern; Jonathan Shaw, 27, of Pearl River; Matthew McGuirk, 27, of Pearl River; Anthony Gonzales, 27, of Spring Valley; MaryLou Lois, 26, of Nanuet; Zachary Rosenthal, 17, of Congers; Jonathan Jaron 28, of Ridgefield, N.J.; and Edward Divone, 32, of Pearl River.

Lois and Rosenthal are the only ones not facing felony charges. The others could face sentences ranging up to 25 years in prison, Zugibe said.

Kowalski faces felony charges of drug sale and possession in connection with the sale of Xanax.

Shaw was accused of selling cocaine, Xanax, and marijuana, faces charges of third-degree sale of a controlled substance, a felony; and third-degree possession of a controlled substance, a felony.

McGuirk was charged with unlawful possession of marijuana, a violation; and possession of a controlled substance, a misdemeanor.

Divone was charged with fifth-degree sale of a controlled substance (Clonazepam), a felony; and fifth-degree possession of a controlled substance, a felony.

Jaron was charged with third-degree sale of a controlled substance (Oxycodone), a felony; third-degree possession of a controlled substance, a felony; and criminal sale of a controlled substance, a felony.

Lois was charged with seventh-degree possession of a controlled substance (heroin), a misdemeanor; and possession of a hypodermic instrument, a misdemeanor.

Rosenthal was charged with weapons possession for having a gravity knife, police said.

Gonzales was charged with third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance, a felony; third-degree possession of a controlled substance, a felony; and seventh degree possession of a controlled substance, a misdemeanor.

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