On Wednesday, Sept. 13, all 12 suspects were indicted for their alleged roles in a drug trafficking ring that sold “poison in the form of crack, cocaine and fentanyl, ” across the South Shore of Nassau County, District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly said.
The indictment comes after a nine-month investigation between the NCDA’s office and the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA).
Starting in October 2022, the agencies surveilled multiple locations along the South Shore they believed were involved in the narcotics trafficking operation, allegedly run by 47-year-old Valley Stream resident Christopher Corley.
The surveillance soon turned to wire-tapping, which uncovered multiple phone calls allegedly made between Corley and the following individuals regarding making crack and cocaine, chopping it up, packaging, or delivering it:
- James Anthony Alexander, age 48, of Baldwin
- Clifford Nealy, age 47, of West Hempstead.
According to the DA's Office, the narcotics were being sold in both Nassau and Suffolk Counties.
Finally, investigators used the wiretaps to pinpoint locations (one of which was Corley’s home) and execute search warrants on June 13, 2023, leading to the discovery of:
- Approximately eight-and-a-half pounds of cocaine;
- Approximately half a kilogram of fentanyl;
- More than 24 grams of crack or cocaine;
- More than 23 grams of alprazolam (commonly known as Xanax);
- Seven firearms, including a ghost gun and an assault weapon;
- Four large-capacity magazines;
- Approximately 4.2 grams of oxycodone; and
- Two kilogram presses, typically used to process and package bricks of cocaine
One of the presses was reportedly discovered with powder still inside.
Corley, Alexander, Clifford Nealy, and two others — Janeathea Nealy, age 36, of Baldwin, and Thomas Keyes, age 36, of Long Beach — were charged with conspiracy in addition to their varying charges which include criminal sale and possession of controlled substances or weapons.
Keyes and Clifford Nealy both face up to 15 years in prison if convicted; Alexander and Janeathea Nealy face 20 years each.
As the purported leader, Corley faces an additional charge of operating as a major trafficker.
If he is convicted, he faces up to 25 years to life behind bars.
Seven more people were not charged with conspiracy but still arraigned on accusations ranging from having or selling drugs to possession of a weapon:
- Tatiana Lopez, age 35, of West Hempstead;
- John Nealy, age 22, of West Hempstead;
- Kito Lockwood, age 49, of West Hempstead;
- Christopher Lasane, Sr., age 50, of Long Beach;
- Christopher Lasane, Jr., age 27, of Long Beach;
- Noelle Dean, age 27, of Uniondale; and
- Keya Evans, 48, of Long Beach.
Each of the other seven indicted faces between 7 and 15 years in prison if convicted.
Every single person pleaded not guilty and is due back in court on Thursday, Oct. 26.
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