Police Arrest 8 In Butler County Drug Sweep

Police arrested eight suspects in a drug arrest sweep conducted in Butler County on Tuesday.

All eight suspects are being charged with the sale and distribution of illegal narcotics in Butler County, police said.

The suspects are Kyle Verikdas, 19, of Mars; John Matthews, 21, of Gibsonia; Celeste Clyde, 51, of Mars; Michael Christoffersen, 21, of Valencia; James Starr, 25, of Valencia; Thomas Durkin Jr., 26, of Valencia; John Richter, 22, of Gibsonia; and Karla Stranger, 22, of Glenshaw.

Police said the charges against the suspects range from misdemeanors to felonies and involve the sale and distribution of cocaine, oxycontin and marijuana.

The arrests were made after a 12-month investigation by the Butler County Drug Task Force, police said.