Assisting in the search and arrests were the Cambria County Drug Task Force, the Cambria County SERT Team, state Attorney Generals Office, U.S. PA Office of Attorney General / Press Office Johnstown,PA 15904, Copyright All rights reserved. Raemon Prunty was arrested in an alleged drug-trafficking operation in Blair County. And over $1,900 in cash. After conducting a traffic stop, both Eckert and Walter were taken into custody and interviewed. Authorities note that additional arrests will be announced at a later date, as a result of the investigation. Harrisburg, PA 17120 Its great work by the AG and Altoona police.. Walter currently has a monetary bail value set for $500,000 and Eckert has one set for $300,000. They did not consider how their actions would ravage the lives of their loved ones, their neighborhoods, communities like Altoona, Hollidaysburg, and East Freedom, and families all across Pennsylvania. She explained how she and Walter would get the drugs from a Puerto Rican contact nicknamed C or Mo. Fax: Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. 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 homes, according to police. In early July, officers responded to a disturbance at the home. If you see something, say something.. AG Shapiro: Statewide Meth Ring Busted, 32 Arrested In Operation Ice Breaker, 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. 6:49 pm. 4 dogs rescued, 1 injured in Foster Township fire, Weekend fire rekindles in Olyphant slaughterhouse, Lawmakers gather in effort to pass bill combating distracted driving, Woman charged with luring man shot during drug deal in Williamsport. 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. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. 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 obtaining a search warrant and searching the vehicle, officials found about six pounds of meth, almost 5 ounces of cocaine, 21-grams of suspected fentanyl, a gram of heroin, cell phones and also $1,901 in US currency. 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. Email: When buying cowboy boots, there are a few aspects to consider, such as how far up they go on your legs and their design. A forensic extraction of Eckerts phone found two phone numbers for C in her phone. 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. Charges are filed against 48-year-old Scott Lapean. Todays charges are the result of a year-long cooperative investigation between the Office of Attorney General, Blair County Drug Task Force, Blair County District Attorney Richard Consiglios Office and the Altoona Police Department. On Tuesday, police also seized four vehicles a 2019 Dodge Challenger Scat Pack, 2017 BMW 750li, 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee and 2012 Nissan Murano. Attorney General Shapiro: I promised to remain vigilant and arrest people peddling poison in Altoona and Blair Counties and Ive kept that commitment.. April 26, 2021 / 7:41 AM Matt Plummer, an Altoona. 1 gram of heroin, 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. Authorities note that additional arrests will be announced at a later date, as a result of the investigation. Altoona Police say the 21-year-old and another person were bringing thousands of packets of heroin from Pittsburgh to Altoona. 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. Thus, the Suboxone traffic goes hand in hand with opioid addiction in this area and around the state and the county, said Blair County District Attorney Richard A. Consiglio. Drug Bust. 717-787-5211 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. 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. 2023 WWCP, FOX 8 - Since taking office, Attorney General Shapiro has emphasized a multi-pronged approach to fighting the opioid epidemic in Pennsylvania. His office has: The Attorney General also thanked Operation Our Town for its support. Officials on Sept. 21 would review phone calls in Blair County prison between Eckert and Walter. Today, Sept. 23, police received arrest warrants for Erica Eckert, 43, of Altoona and Jayme Walter, 42, of Roaring Spring, who both face alleged drug charges after police conducted an investigation that took three months into possible meth distribution in the Altoona/Blair County area. 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. Judge Jones set bail at $500,000 cash for each. press@attorneygeneral.gov, Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General Strawberry Square HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, MONROE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) The Monroe County coroner is on the scene of a crash that has shut down State Route 33. Nearly half the arrests made today were for people selling Suboxone, a drug used to treat opioid addition and prevent painful withdrawal symptoms. 90 Lulay Street, Suite 1 Its always good when you can have an investigation that targets this scope of distribution, Weeks said. What was in the sky Wednesday night in Pennsylvania? 21 grams of a white powder, suspected to be fentanyl, After the first sweep in this area, I promised to remain vigilant and keep coming back to prosecute people peddling this poison in Altoona and Blair Counties and Ive kept that commitment. 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. 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. 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. It is important that these individuals be targeted. The grand jury determined that deliveries of a similar size occurred once every 7 to 10 days; in one year, the meth ring trafficked well over 94,000 doses worth approximately $2,500,000. 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,. 2021 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Police say authorities then searched the vehicle and seized the following: Approximately 6 pounds of methamphetamine, 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. Three charged after drug bust Local News. Blair County and much of rural Pennsylvania is suffering under the drug crisis being fueled by organizations like those taken down today, said Attorney General Josh Shapiro. Three people were taken into custody after police seized drugs, paraphernalia and firearms from a Cambria County . 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. ALTOONA, Pa. (WTAJ) Two people are in custody in what police say is one of the biggest methamphetamine busts to ever take place in Blair County with more arrests to come. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. This represents the largest seizure of methamphetamine destined for Blair County in the Countys history. Today's breaking news and more in your inbox. 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, ALTOONA Attorney General Josh Shapiro today announced the arrest of 32 individuals for the sale and distribution of methamphetamine in Blair County. Mailing Address: Community / 3 days ago. Worked with the insurance industry to expand access to drug treatment. 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. Friday, January 20th 2017. Marshals Service, FBI Safe Streets Task Force and the Cambria County Detective Bureau. Matt Plummer, an Altoona Police Department spokesperson. DUNCANSVILLE The Calvin House is going to the dogs. 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. The Eastern Adams Regional Police Department said the stash was found in a storage facility 135 miles east of Philadelphia. Oct 16, 2021. Mirror Staff Writer Greg Bock is at 946-7458. Walter was arrested and sent to Altoona Police Department, and officials used two K9 units to search his vehicle. by Ron Musselman. Many of the arrests in todays roundup were for individuals selling Suboxone, a drug used to treat opioid addiction and prevent painful withdrawal symptoms. Police said the joint investigation by the state Attorney Generals Office and Altoona police is ongoing. Investigators say in late August, authorities were notified that the pair was transporting a large amount of methamphetamine from Allentown to the Altoona area. Delacruz and Wilt are slated to appear at Central Court for preliminary hearings on July 22. Citizens are reminded to report suspicious activity. Harrisburg, PA 17120 Police got a warrant for Walters arrest since he was on parole. . Copyright 2021 WEAU. 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. Harrisburg, PA 17120, Phone: Walter was hesitant to speak much to police and requested to speak to an attorney. A brick would represent about 1 gram, according to police. The Altoona Police Department says community members first alerted them to possible drug activities taking place in the 700 block of Harriet Street earlier this summer. Multiple cell phones, Eckert explained how she would meet C every two weeks to buy more drugs and that Walter was along for a few trips. 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. Thank you to the many law enforcement agencies for their hard work and commitment to ridding our streets of drugs, Neugebauer said in a release. 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. Celebrating the African American holiday Kwanzaa . 50 years ago: March 1, 1973 First published on April 26, 2021 / 7:41 AM. 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. 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 . Police say they expect more arrests will be made at a later time as a result of the investigation. "Thus, the Suboxone traffic goes hand in hand with opioid addiction in this area and around the state and the county," said Shapiro. Altoona police seized about $170,000 in suspected heroin earlier this week during an investigation into drug trafficking between Pittsburgh and Altoona, said Sgt. During the search, police allegedly discovered suspected methamphetamine, $1,100 in cash, drug paraphernalia and several firearms, a release from District Attorney Greg Neugebauer stated. 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 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. Two men are in custody, and efforts are underway to locate a third. 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. Anyone with information should contact the FBI Pittsburgh office at. 717-787-8242 She responded by saying that Walter was arrested by probation as a cover-up for the drug shipment that police intercepted. 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. According to the Altoona Police Department, Jonathan Delacruz and Tori Wilt were arrested on Tuesday following the execution of two search warrants. INDIANA, Pa. (KDKA) - More than a dozen dealers are facing charges after a drug sweep in Indiana County, prosecutors . Departments involved include: The Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General Bureau of Narcotics Investigation, Altoona Police Department, the Pennsylvania State Police, State College Police Department, Patton Township Police Department, Ferguson Township Police Department, and Logan Township Police Department. Weeks noted that the suspected drugs seized would constitute a week or two worth of drugs to be sold on the streets. "My Office has been focused on . Get the Android Weather app from Google Play, Assisted suicide bill proposed by 6 Pa Lawmakers, Hungry? Over the course of the investigation, law enforcement made a series of approximately 80 controlled purchases utilizing undercover officers/agents. Police say they seized nearly 10,000 packets of heroin in total from a home in Altoona and from the vehicle Prunty was in when he was arrested. 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. Please click here for a full list of the 72 individuals charged today. Police got a warrant for Walter's arrest since he was on parole. 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. Fax: This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. This is a big win for keeping drugs out of the Altoona area, Plummer said Friday afternoon. He's set to appear In court on Wednesday. September 24, 2021. All rights reserved. residents outrage over water pipe issues. Three people were taken into custody after police seized drugs, paraphernalia and firearms from a Cambria County residence, a police report stated. PA Office of Attorney General / Press Office 00:03. ALTOONA, Wis. (WEAU) - A large drug bust in Altoona results in 20 charges against four people. NEW DETAILS: After police interviewed both Walter and Eckert, officials found that another contact named C would give the meth to them. Operation Our Town is an organization in Blair County with a mission of supporting the fight against drugs and violent crime. 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