Suspected drug dealers under surveillance in bar

Williamsport, Pennsylvania – Two men sold drugs from a car parked in front of the Brandon Cafe in Williamsport.

Scott Nicholas Ulsamer, 44, reportedly told police when questioned by detectives from the Lycoming County Drug Enforcement Unit that he knew Matthew Russell Smith, 35, was selling cocaine. “He (Smith) does all his business at the Brandon (cafe) and everyone at the Brandon knows he does all his business there,” Ulsamer told investigators.

According to a complaint, detectives observed Ulsamer and Smith driving to a home in the 700 block of E. Third Street in late August. Police said the home belonged to Kaire Vellela. Smith got out of the car and went into the house briefly. He then returned and drove with Ulsamer to the Brandon Café. Ulsamer had previously told police he was a Lyft cash driver.

While still under surveillance, investigators say Ulsamer and Smith sat together in the car outside the Brandon Cafe for 30 minutes before entering the bar. Smith was later seen walking outside and toward a red car in the parking lot. Smith reportedly leaned into the vehicle before quickly jumping out and walking back into the bar.

The vehicle was stopped in the area of Central Avenue in South Williamsport, investigators said. The driver was found with a folded napkin containing cocaine. He confessed to buying $40 worth of the substance from Smith, investigators added. He agreed to buy more from Smith.

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Ulsamer and Smith were under surveillance as they left the bar 20 minutes after receiving a call to buy cocaine, investigators said. Smith was arrested during a traffic stop near the intersection of Market Street and Washington Boulevard.

According to the affidavit, residue and odor of marijuana were found in Ulsamer's vehicle. Ulsamer allegedly admitted to smoking weed and drinking, but denied dealing drugs.

“I have nothing to do with Smith's drug dealing,” Ulsamer said. “Yes, you do,” the investigators replied.

Ulsamer admitted to driving Smith to Karie Vellela's home in the 700 block of E. Third Street without a valid driver's license, which was suspended for 18 months in June after he refused to submit to a breathalyzer and blood test during a traffic stop by detectives.

According to investigators, Vellela was questioned after Ulsamer was released from custody. She admitted that Smith had given her cocaine earlier in the day. She claimed it was for babysitting his dog. Vellela told police that Ulsamer had watched her shop at Smith's in the past. She allegedly called Ulsamer once to complain that Smith sold her an “eight-ball” of baking soda instead of cocaine. Vellela reportedly showed investigators Apple Pay transactions she used to pay Smith.

Earlier this month, police searched Ulsamer's vehicle. Investigators said they found two illegally packaged plastic bags of marijuana inside. Ulsamer does not have a medical marijuana card.

Smith is charged with trafficking in controlled substances and criminal use of a communication facility. Bail is set at $40,000. Smith is being held in the Lycoming County Jail.

Ulsamer is charged with conspiracy to traffic in a controlled substance, trafficking in a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance and driving without a license. He is free on $75,000 bail.

The official arraignment of both men is scheduled for October.

File on Matthew Russell Smith

File of Scott Nicholas Ulsamer

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