WFMJ.com News weather sports for Youngstown-Warren OhioUPDATED; New Castle drug ring bust

UPDATED; New Castle drug ring bust

NEW CASTLE, Pennsylvania - Eight people are facing federal charges for operating a prescription drug ring in Lawrence County.

Seven of the eight suspects are from New Castle. They are identified as Christopher Klingensmith, 36; Shannon Viggiano, 32; Thomas Klingensmith, Sr., 57; Thomas Klingensmith, Jr., 38; David Wooley, 33; James Cracraft, 37, and Bobbi Jo Klingensmith, 33.

The eighth suspect, 32-year-old Larry James Dorsey is from Jupiter, Florida.

Authorities say all eight were arrested on Tuesday for allegedly distributing thousands of Oxycontin and Roxycet tablets.

"These criminals that are selling these drugs only care about money," said Gary Davis, of the Drug Enforcement Administration. "They don't care that they've created hundreds, if not thousands, of adicts that are addicted to these pain pills, who then go out into the community, commit burglaries, robberies, and other violent crimes."

The Drug Enforcement Administration, New castle Police, and Pennsylvania State Police worked together during the year-long investigation.

"This unprecedented cooperative effort resulted in the arrest of a local drug kingpin, the arrest of his co-conspirators and his employees, and the destruction of an entire narcotics distribution network in our community," said Lawrence County District Attorney, Joshua Lamancusa.

The suspects could face 20 years in prison and fines of up to $1,000,000.