November 8, 2022- Commonwealth v. Baishi Jermaine Bailey:  A criminal indictment issued by the 14^th Cumberland Grand Jury was unsealed today with the arrest of Baishi Jermaine Bailey, 48 of Carlisle.  He was indicted on four (4) counts of Drug Delivery Resulting in Death (Felony 1, maximum penalty of 40 years in prison on each count), four (4) counts of Involuntary Manslaughter (Misdemeanor 1, maximum penalty of 5 years on each count), six (6) counts of Criminal Use of Communication Facility (Felony 3, maximum penalty of 7 years on each count), seven (7) counts Delivery of a Controlled Substance-Fentanyl (Felony, maximum penalty of 7 years on each count), eight (8) counts Delivery of a Controlled Substance-Cocaine (Felony, maximum penalty of 7 years on each count).

The charges are the result of a multiple year investigation into the overdose deaths of Duane McNeal (died on December 19, 2020), Joshua Cuff (died on/about December 20, 2020), Jackie Berrier (died on/about December 22, 2020) and Christine Bailey (not related) (died on/about December 26, 2020).  Bailey is accused of selling crack cocaine, laced with Fentanyl, to each of the deceased.  Each of the deceased was found to have died as a result of acute Fentanyl toxicity.

“Fentanyl has ripped a deep scar through Cumberland County.  Its legacy is one of death and sadness.  With these charges today, we hope to hold one of the individuals allegedly profiting off the death and misery of others accountable for bringing this plague to our community.” -District Attorney Seán M. McCormack

During the investigation, conducted jointly by Cpl. Jeff Kurtz of the Carlisle Police Department and Det. Matthew Johnson of the North Middleton Police Department, investigators were able to identify multiple other individuals who experienced non-fatal overdoses as a result of crack cocaine they purchased from Bailey during the timeframe of mid- to late-December 2020.  Many of those individuals testified before the Grand Jury. 

Cumberland County District Attorney Seán M. McCormack praised the hard work of everyone involved in this difficult investigation.  “Today’s arrest comes after many countless hours chasing down leads and potential witnesses over the course of nearly two years.  Det. Johnston, Cpl. Kurtz and Senior Assistant District Attorney Nichole Vito deserve so much credit for never giving up on this investigation.  I also want to give credit to the Grand Jurors for their service and patience during this process.  We would not have been able to put this case together without their service.” 

NOTE: The indictment and charges filed against Baishi Jermaine Bailey are only an accusation at this time and he is considered innocent unless and until he is proven guilty in a court of law.