At least two LGBT people were among dozens arrested in a wide-ranging methamphetamine-distribution bust this week.
Charges were announced Tuesday against 32 Montgomery County and Philadelphia residents, including Joseph “Phoenix” Croxton and Marissa Devine, who were arrested last week.
Both have been released on bail.
Croxton and Devine both worked as hosts at Darling’s Diner at the Piazza at Schmidt’s and were working during SundayOUT! last weekend.
Darling’s director of operations Matthew Arnold said the pair was hired about four months ago. Arnold said both have been suspended indefinitely pending an investigation.
Croxton, of the 1700 block of Tasker Street in South Philadelphia, and Devine, of the 200 block of East Thompson Street in Fishtown, were both charged with corruption organization and violations of the federal drug act.
Devine, who is transgender, has no prior arrest record in Philadelphia or Montgomery counties.
Croxton, 44, was arrested in Philadelphia in 1989 on criminal conspiracy, assault, reckless endangerment and other charges.
Franny Price, owner of Spruce Street Video, said Croxton worked for the shop for about seven years through his teens and early 20s, and she later hired him at Franny’s Place.
Dan Contarino said Croxton also worked at Shampoo Nightclub.
“He worked with me for years at Shampoo, so I’m very sorry to hear about this bad news,” Contarino said.
Price said Croxton was very well known in the LGBT nightlife scene in the ’90s.
“Everybody loved Phoenix,” he said. “He was always way ahead of the times with fashion and just has a charisma and personality that draws you to him. He’s original.”
Devine served as Miss Philly Gay Pride in the late ’90s.
The investigation that led to their arrests began last year.
Detectives said this week that Hatfield resident Francesco Messina and Limerick resident Troy Dudas were ringleaders of the distribution chain, and used Messina’s auto-body shop in Lansdale as the venue to sell to area dealers.
Messina and brothers Jeffrey and David Penna were already under surveillance by Montgomery County officials for drug activity when an anonymous tip was sent in about the distribution ring.
With the approval of the Superior Court of Pennsylvania, Montgomery County District Attorney Risa Vetri Ferman executed wiretaps on phones used by Messina and Dudas throughout February.
The surveillance led to exposure of the Philadelphia-based ring, led by brothers Juan and Antonio Encarnacion.
Vetri Ferman said the bust included “meth distributors, users and pushers.”
Vetri Ferman did not respond to a call for comment by presstime.
Jen Colletta can be reached at [email protected].