LONG TERM NARCOTICS INVESTIGATION LEADS TO FIRST SEIZURE OF CARFENTANIL IN SUFFOLK COUNTY

(SUFFOLK COUNTY, N.Y.) – Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney today announced that JOHN SIMS, TYEISHA KISSWANI, ROBERT DAY, and ADRIAN SPOONER were indicted for Criminal Sale of Controlled Substance, and other related charges, after a long-term investigation was conducted by the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office Gang Task Force.

“As hard as it is to believe – Carfentanil is even more potent and more lethal than fentanyl. The influx of this drug in Suffolk County is alarming and poses a clear and present danger to the public,” said District Attorney Tierney. “We will prosecute traffickers responsible for bringing such poisons into Suffolk County to the fullest extent of the law.”

According to the investigation, from January 2024 to July 2024, the District Attorney’s Gang Task Force utilized several investigative techniques to uncover a narcotics distribution network that allegedly sold carfentanil, fentanyl and cocaine in Suffolk County. The seven months-long investigation included the use of undercover law enforcement, audio and video recordings, and stationary and physical surveillance that led to the execution of numerous search warrants.

During the investigation, it revealed that SIMS, KISSWANI, and DAY were members of a conspiracy that allegedly possessed and sold copious quantities of carfentanil, fentanyl, and cocaine on numerous occasions. On July 1, 2024, when SIMS allegedly sold over half of an ounce of fentanyl. Then on July 11, 2024, SIMS and DAY allegedly sold over half of an ounce of fentanyl. On several dates between January 2024 through June 2024, SIMS and KISSWANI allegedly also sold several quantities of cocaine on several different dates. On July 23, 2024, SIMS allegedly sold more than half of an ounce of carfentanil to an undercover officer.

In addition, on twelve different dates between January 2024 and July 2024, SPOONER allegedly sold quantities of cocaine, including more than half an ounce of cocaine on July 17, 2024.

Carfentanil is a synthetic opioid, but it is used as a tranquilizing agent for elephants and other large mammals. Carfentanil is 10,000 times stronger than morphine and 100 times stronger than fentanyl, where fentanyl – a synthetic opioid drug that is 50 to 100 times stronger than heroin – can be lethal at the 2-milligram range.[1] Indeed, the presence of carfentanil and fentanyl pose a significant threat to first responders and law enforcement personnel who may come into contact with these substances.

On August 28, 2024, law enforcement executed multiple search warrants to targeted locations. One of the search warrants was executed at SIMS and KISSWANI’s house. Inside of the bedroom they allegedly shared, detectives allegedly recovered a loaded .357 revolver, a high-capacity ammunition feeding device, a quantity of cocaine, U.S. currency, digital scales and packaging materials used for the weighing and packaging individual quantities of narcotics for sale. KISSWANI was taken into custody at the scene. Law enforcement tracked down SIMS on the same day at another location and took him into custody.

SIMS, 40, of Freeport, was charged with:

• One count of Conspiracy in the Second Degree, a Class B felony;
• One count of Conspiracy in the Fourth Degree, a Class E felony;
• Three counts of Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Second Degree, Class A-II felonies;
• Six counts of Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, Class B felonies;
• Ten counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, Class B felonies;
• Three counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, Class B felonies;
• Two counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, Class C violent felonies;
• One count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree, a Class D violent felony;
• One count of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Fifth Degree, a Class D felony; and
• Two counts of Criminally Using Drug Paraphernalia in the Second Degree, Class A misdemeanors.

On September 30, 2024, at his arraignment on the indictment, Supreme Court Justice John B. Collins ordered SIMS remanded during the pendency of the case. SIMS is due back in court on November 14, 2024, and faces 12 ½ to 25 years in prison if convicted on the top count. He is being represented by Jason Russo, Esq.

SPOONER, 36, of Bay Shore, is charged with:

• One count of Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Second Degree, a Class A-II felony;
• Eleven counts of Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, Class B felonies;
• One count of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, a Class B felony; and
• Twelve counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, Class B felonies.

On September 25, 2024, at his arraignment on the indictment, Acting Supreme Court Justice Karen M. Wilutis ordered SPOONER held on $100,000 cash, $200,000 bond, or $1,000,000 partially secured bond during the pendency of the case.

SPOONER posted the bail of $200,000 and was released. SPOONER is due back in court on November 6, 2024, and faces a maximum of 14 years in prison if convicted on the top count. He is being represented by Robert Macedonio, Esq.

KISSWANI, 39, of Freeport, is charged with:

• One count of Conspiracy in the Second Degree, a Class B felony;
• One count of Conspiracy in the Fourth Degree, a Class E felony;
• Two counts of Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, Class B felonies;
• Three counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, Class B felonies;
• One count of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Fifth Degree, a Class D felony; and
• Two counts of Criminally Using Drug Paraphernalia in the Second Degree, Class A misdemeanors.

On October 3, 2024, at her arraignment on the indictment, Justice Collins ordered KISSWANI released from jail without bail because her charges are considered non-bail eligible under current New York State law, meaning prosecutors cannot ask for, and judges cannot set bail.

KISSWANI is due back in court on November 13, 2024, and faces 8 1/3 to 25 years in prison if convicted on the top count. She is being represented by Oscar Crisafio, Esq.

DAY, 65, of Hempstead, is charged with:

• One count of Conspiracy in the Second Degree, a Class B felony;
• One count of Conspiracy in the Fourth Degree, a Class E felony;
• One count of Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Second Degree, a Class A-II felony;
• One count of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, a Class B felony; and
• One count of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, a Class B felony.

As of October 3, 2024, DAY remains at large. Anyone with information regarding his whereabouts should contact the Suffolk County Police Department or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Pamela J. Bloomfield of the Violent Criminal Enterprises Bureau, and the investigation was conducted by the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Gang Task Force, Suffolk County Sherriff’s Office, and the Suffolk County Police Department.

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Criminal complaints and indictments are merely accusatory instruments.

Defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. No one is above the law.

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