NEW DETAILS: After police interviewed both Walter and Eckert, officials found that another contact named C would give the meth to them. INDIANA, Pa. (KDKA) - More than a dozen dealers are facing charges after a drug sweep in Indiana County, prosecutors . "My Office has been focused on . Eckert explained how she would meet C every two weeks to buy more drugs and that Walter was along for a few trips. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Delacruz and Wilt were taken before Magisterial District Judge Ben Jones for arraignment Tuesday and each face charges that include felony criminal conspiracy, dealing in proceeds of unlawful activities and possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance. 90 Lulay Street, Suite 1 Montonya is facing suspected charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of THC (2nd+ offense), possession of drug paraphernalia, obstructing an officer, and felony bail jumping. District. On August 26, police say Walters vehicle was stopped along Woodbury Pike, in Taylor Township, were he was taken into custody for a parole violation. This law enforcement action is the result of wiretaps and a year-long grand jury investigation into a drug trafficking network between Philadelphia and Blair counties which authorized the arrest of 17 individuals including the Philadelphia sources of methamphetamine and Blair Countys upper and mid-level dealers. Harrisburg, PA 17120, Phone: 72 Drug Dealers Arrested in Latest Blair County Roundup, Send Drug and Child Predator Anonymous Tips, Community Drug Abuse Prevention Grant Program, ACRE Agriculture, Communities and Rural Environment, Pennsylvania State Coroners Education Board, Voters Rights in Effect at the Polling Places on Election Days. Jonathan Delacruz, 39, and his girlfriend, Tori Wilt, 22, were taken into custody at their 2815 Sixth Ave. home just after 6 a.m.. A search of what police describe as a stash house at 2521 Beale Ave. turned up 27 bricks of suspected packaged heroin, 77 grams of suspected raw heroin and 153 grams of suspected fentanyl. 50 years ago: March 1, 1973 Attorney General Shapiro: I promised to remain vigilant and arrest people peddling poison in Altoona and Blair Counties and Ive kept that commitment.. Altoona Police say the 21-year-old and another person were bringing thousands of packets of heroin from Pittsburgh to Altoona. Active Scene on Birchwood Lane in Eau Claire Co. Tell us where we should look inside here. Worked with the insurance industry to expand access to drug treatment. If you use a windshield cover, you can at least forget about scrapping the ice off your windshield to save some time and hassle. Drug Bust. Raemon Prunty was arrested in an alleged drug-trafficking operation in Blair County. Mirror Staff Writer Greg Bock is at 946-7458. Charges are filed against 48-year-old Scott Lapean of Altoona, 32-year-old Bjonca Secora of Menomonie, 24-year-old Cameron Redroad of the Altoona area, and 31-year-old Amber Montonya of Bloomer. This demonstrates the use of Suboxone to either supplement or obtain heroin. On Saturday 4/17/21 APD Narcotics officers conducted an investigation into large amounts of heroin being transported Prunty is now facing several charges, including felony conspiracy and drug charges. Mailing Address: Police say that a traffic stop occurred at approximately 5:01 p.m. the same day at the 6400 block of Woodbury Pike in Taylor Township. This represents the largest seizure of methamphetamine destined for Blair County in the Countys history. A brick would represent about 1 gram, according to police. [email protected], Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General Strawberry Square Courtesy photo / Altoona police and state narcotics agents executed two search warrants and seized $186,360 in cash, along with a large stash of fentanyl and heroin, in an early morning search of two homes Tuesday. Distributed 300,000 drug disposal pouches in 17 counties in Pennsylvania. Eckert was arrested at a home in Altoona and was sent to Blair County Central Booking for processing and arraignment while Walter is currently incarcerated and is expected to be arraigned tomorrow, Sept. 24. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. Walter and Eckert currently face multiple drug felony counts of manufacture, delivery, or possession with intent to manufacture or deliver, criminal use of communication facility. His office has: The Attorney General also thanked Operation Our Town for its support. Eckert told him that it wasnt just his but both of theirs. One at a home on Beale Avenue and another on. It is important that these individuals be targeted. 717-787-5211 Police say the street value of the drugs seized exceeds $250,000, making this case one of the largest meth busts in Blair County history. Cause often times its those complaints from community members that start investigations that lead to seizures like this that have six pounds of methamphetamine and additional drugs taken off the street.. The total monetary value of the drugs that were found amounts to over $250,000 police say. He's set to appear In court on Wednesday. Its great work by the AG and Altoona police.. Vernon Steele, 45, 326 1st Ave., Altoona, is charged with two counts each of possession with intent to deliver or delivery of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance,. PA Office of Attorney General / Press Office Individuals with information about drugs or drug dealers in Blair County should contact the Operation Our Town Push Out the Pusher hotline at 814-693-3020. What was in the sky Wednesday night in Pennsylvania? Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. All rights reserved. Check or add your phone numbers to the Pennsylvania Do Not Call Registry. Oct 16, 2021. by Ron Musselman. residents outrage over water pipe issues. Wilt was free on bail and awaiting trial on felony charges stemming from a search of an apartment in December, where police allegedly found more than an ounce of heroin. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. 12/23/22 Pa Live! On August 26, police say Walters vehicle was stopped along Woodbury Pike, in Taylor Township, were he was taken into custody for a parole violation. Judge Jones set bail at $500,000 cash for each. HOLLIDAYSBURG The bulk of the drug-trafficking offenses filed in October against an Altoona man were dismissed Friday in a preliminary hearing where a defense attorney said the evidence. Get the Android Weather app from Google Play, Inaugural Bill Howerton Baseball/Softball Media Day, Scranton Prep grad Leo OBoyle thriving with Lafayette, District IV individual wrestling championships, District II individual wrestling championships, Weis Market dietitian uses citrus to make something, Award winning chef cooks up some Wonderful dieting, Mental health influencer out to help a million teens, Agnes at Fifty: A look back at the flood of 1972, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. On Tuesday, police also seized four vehicles a 2019 Dodge Challenger Scat Pack, 2017 BMW 750li, 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee and 2012 Nissan Murano. Eckert received both her phone and vehicle, that Walter was driving at the time of the traffic stop, due to cooperation with police in identifying C. Eckert met again with officials on Sept. 13 and showed messages from the previous days between her and C. C told her to get in touch with him because he is about to be out again and wanted to know if he should set some aside for her, and he also wanted Js phone number to talk to him, according to the complaint. Altoona traffic stop leads to drug bust, three charged Three have been charged after a traffic stop in Altoona led to police finding meth, marijuana, packaging supplies, cash, and more in the early hours of Monday morning. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Nearly half the arrests made today were for people selling Suboxone, a drug used to treat opioid addition and prevent painful withdrawal symptoms. Helped lead an ongoing national investigation by 41 Attorneys General of the pharmaceutical industry for their role in fueling the opioid crisis in our country. 00:30. Police say 42-year-old Jayme Walter and 43-year-old Erica Eckert were arrested Thursday on charges of drug possession, manufacturing and conspiracy following a three-month investigation by Altoona police, the Blair County District Attorneys office and the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General. Eckert told Walter that C ghosted her. Please enter valid email address to continue. HARRISBURG Attorney General Josh Shapiro today announced criminal charges against 72 people for selling heroin, illegal prescription opioids, cocaine, crystal methamphetamine, crack, bath salts and other drugs in Blair County - the 9th major drug sweep in the county since he took office in January 2017. Investigators say in late August, authorities were notified that the pair was transporting a large amount of methamphetamine from Allentown to the Altoona area. Blair County District Attorney Pete Weeks pointed out the search warrants and allegations against Delacruz and Wilt show how profitable drug dealing can be and underscores why violence and overdoses are a real risk for the community when there is large-scale heroin and fentanyl distribution. Officials on Sept. 21 would review phone calls in Blair County prison between Eckert and Walter. The Eastern Adams Regional Police Department said the stash was found in a storage facility 135 miles east of Philadelphia. Police got a warrant for Walter's arrest since he was on parole. Both await a preliminary hearing for Oct. 7. Let the District Attorney know when they see criminal activity, especially drug trafficking, Blair County District Attorney Peter Weeks said. The defendants will be preliminarily arraigned before Blair County Magisterial District Judges Fred Miller and Andrew Blatenberger and will be prosecuted by Blair County District Attorney Richard Consiglios Office. 1 gram of heroin, LaPean is facing suspected charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession on THC, possession of drug paraphernalia, maintaining a drug trafficking place, possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine, and obstructing and officer. Police say 42-year-old Jayme Walter and 43-year-old Erica Eckert were arrested Thursday on charges of drug possession, manufacturing and conspiracy following a . 717-787-5211 Police say they expect more arrests will be made at a later time as a result of the investigation. Police say the street value of the drugs seized exceeds $250,000, making this case one of the largest meth busts in Blair County history. Fax: Since taking office, Attorney General Shapiro has emphasized a multi-pronged approach to fighting the opioid epidemic in Pennsylvania. Copyright 2021 WEAU. 16th Floor, Strawberry Square DUNCANSVILLE The Calvin House is going to the dogs. Kenneth Miko, 32, Jacob Simmons 35, and Chris McDaniels, 37, all of Cresson, were detained Friday after a search warrant was executed on the 7900 block of Admiral Peary Highway, Cresson Township. Eckert would continue to meet with officials and update them on any messages that C would send. Jan 29, 2021, 1:13 PM Eastern Adams Regional Police Department A drug bust in Pennsylvania uncovered bags of marijuana worth $315,000 on Wednesday, police said. According to the Altoona Police Department, Jonathan Delacruz and Tori Wilt were arrested on Tuesday following the execution of two search warrants. Authorities note that additional arrests will be announced at a later date, as a result of the investigation. Published: Sep. 1, 2021 at 2:25 PM PDT ALTOONA, Wis. (WEAU) - A large drug bust in Altoona results in 20 charges against four people. Today's breaking news and more in your inbox. / CBS Pittsburgh. 717-787-3391. Citizens are reminded to report suspicious activity. It has been called Dr. Seuss Day because of this. Johnstown,PA 15904, Copyright 50 years ago: March 1, 1973 Police say 42-year-old Jayme Walter and 43-year-old Erica Eckert were arrested Thursday on charges of drug possession, manufacturing and conspiracy following a three-month investigation by Altoona police, the Blair County District Attorneys office and the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General. Police say authorities then searched the vehicle and seized the following: Approximately 6 pounds of methamphetamine, Fax: Miko faces one felony count of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and misdemeanor counts of drug possession and possession of drug paraphernalia, the report stated. She responded by saying that Walter was arrested by probation as a cover-up for the drug shipment that police intercepted. Copyright Altoona Mirror | https://www.altoonamirror.com | 301 Cayuga Ave., Altoona, PA 16602 | 814-946-7411, Its always good when you can have an investigation that targets this scope of distribution,, Its great work by the AG and Altoona police.. 2023 WATM, ABC 23 - On Aug. 26 police along with the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General received info that both Eckert and Walter were transporting a large amount of meth from Allentown, Pa to Altoona to be distributed, according to Altoona Police Department's Facebook post. Do you receive unwanted calls? Mailing Address: Cresson Township police, Cresson Borough police, Jackson Township police and the Johnstown Police Department K9 Unit also assisted at the scene. She explained how she and Walter would get the drugs from a Puerto Rican contact nicknamed C or Mo. Copyright Altoona Mirror | https://www.altoonamirror.com | 301 Cayuga Ave., Altoona, PA 16602 | 814-946-7411, Thank you to the many law enforcement agencies for their hard work and commitment to ridding our streets of drugs,, This case demonstrates the resources available to all corners of Cambria County, and how those resources are used to keep our citizens safe. Nearly half of the drug dealers arrested today were selling Suboxone. He's set to appear In court on . Copyright Altoona Mirror | https://www.altoonamirror.com | 301 Cayuga Ave., Altoona, PA 16602 | 814-946-7411, This is a big win for keeping drugs out of the Altoona area,. Matt Plummer, an Altoona. Mercy Hospital established a new credit union with Samuel Raneri as president and BELLWOOD Aquatic design architect Edwin Wallover has been conducting community meetings for pool projects since From Mirror staff reports 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Delacruz was arrested in Johnstown, Cambria County, in 2012 and ultimately sentenced to state prison after pleading guilty to felony drug charges. Fifteen people have been arrested for allegedly operating a violent drug trafficking organization that was responsible for $20 million in drug sales in Berks County over a year's time. After going through Eckerts phone with her permission, police then found messages between her and C about an order of drugs being placed. Do you receive unwanted calls? Redroad is facing suspected charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of a narcotic drug, possession of THC, possession of drug paraphernalia, and obstructing an officer. BRADDOCK (KDKA) -- A candidate running for city council in Braddock has found himself in trouble with the law. In confiscations conducted over one week in October 2019 alone, the West Drug Task Force seized approximately 12,000 doses of meth totaling over $300,000. Altoona police and state narcotics agents executed two search warrants at 6 a.m. Tuesday and seized $186,360 in cash, along with a large stash of suspected fentanyl and heroin, from the two. Many of the arrests in todays roundup were for individuals selling Suboxone, a drug used to treat opioid addiction and prevent painful withdrawal symptoms. Harrisburg, PA 17120 Altoona police seized about $170,000 in suspected heroin earlier this week during an investigation into drug trafficking between Pittsburgh and Altoona, said Sgt. When buying cowboy boots, there are a few aspects to consider, such as how far up they go on your legs and their design. 717-787-8242 Those arrested today include: Adrian Speedwell, Nichole Merkerson-Beale, and Ricardo Cade, all of Philadelphia; Terry Bookwalter of Mapleton Depot, Mark Watson of Huntingdon,Tituscott Potts of Hollidaysburg, and Jennifer Strayer of East Freedom; Carlos Custalow Jr., Khalil Graham, Elroy Wise, Shawn Jackson, Kimberly Riggleman, Darwin Herring Sr., Troy Hicks, William Snyder II, Aleeta Queen-Dively, Barbara Bordell, Gerell Shepard, Jenna Raia, Kenneth Roberson, Justin Spanik, Rashelle Summers, Tyler Hetrick, Michael Fletcher, Gregory Betar II, Tiffany Mills, Michael Lowe, Effiann Potts, Scott Redfield, Robert Stanley, Darien Banks, and Rashawn Atkinson, all of Altoona. Altoona police seized about $170,000 in suspected heroin earlier this week during an investigation into drug trafficking between Pittsburgh and Altoona, said Sgt. Simmons was brought into custody on outstanding warrants, and McDaniels was detained on a probation violation, court documents stated. Officials also found that Eckert actually told C that she was working with police and that she brought up an attempt to deceive police to help Walter get released from jail. Three charged after drug bust Local News. The Mirror will have full details in the Saturday-Sunday print edition. Posted by Altoona Police Department - Altoona, PA on Friday, April 23, 2021 Prunty is now facing several charges, including felony conspiracy and drug charges. On Aug. 26 police along with the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General received info that both Eckert and Walter were transporting a large amount of meth from Allentown, Pa to Altoona to be distributed, according to Altoona Police Departments Facebook post. Buy more drugs and that Walter was arrested by probation as a cover-up for drug... And exclusive reporting Walter & # x27 ; s set to appear in court.... 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