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. 2021 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. 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.. Harrisburg, PA 17120, Phone: 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. Arrested on average nearly five drug dealers a day. Altoona police seized about $170,000 in suspected heroin earlier this week during an investigation into drug trafficking between Pittsburgh and Altoona, said Sgt. The Blair County district attorney explained how this bust will greatly impact the local supply of drugs. 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. 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. 50 years ago: March 1, 1973 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. Police said the joint investigation by the state Attorney Generals Office and Altoona police is ongoing. Police got a warrant for Walter's arrest since he was on parole. Harrisburg, PA 17120 Charges are filed against 48-year-old Scott Lapean. Attorney General Shapiro: I promised to remain vigilant and arrest people peddling poison in Altoona and Blair Counties and Ive kept that commitment.. Three people were taken into custody after police seized drugs, paraphernalia and firearms from a Cambria County residence, a police report stated. 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. All rights reserved. Since taking office, Attorney General Shapiro has emphasized a multi-pronged approach to fighting the opioid epidemic in Pennsylvania. After going through Eckerts phone with her permission, police then found messages between her and C about an order of drugs being placed. residents outrage over water pipe issues. Altoona police seized about $170,000 in suspected heroin earlier this week during an investigation into drug trafficking between Pittsburgh and Altoona, said Sgt. ALTOONA Attorney General Josh Shapiro today announced the arrest of 32 individuals for the sale and distribution of methamphetamine in Blair County. 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. Eckert was brought back in to be questioned by police on Aug. 30. Nearly half of the drug dealers arrested today were selling Suboxone. 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. Eckert would continue to meet with officials and update them on any messages that C would send. Increased arrests of doctors and other medical personnel for illegal diversions of prescription drugs by 72 percent. 717-787-3391. Harrisburg, PA 17120 When buying cowboy boots, there are a few aspects to consider, such as how far up they go on your legs and their design. Walter was arrested and sent to Altoona Police Department, and officials used two K9 units to search his vehicle. News / Jan 14, 2021 / 11:11 PM EST. 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. This demonstrates the use of Suboxone to either supplement or obtain heroin. 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. Delacruz and Wilt are slated to appear at Central Court for preliminary hearings on July 22. by Ron Musselman. Judge Jones set bail at $500,000 cash for each. Copyright 2021 WEAU. 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. 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 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 Beyond the 17 arrested as a result of the grand jury, additional investigation led to the arrest of 15 more people who are alleged to have been connected to the larger drug organization. Marshals Service, FBI Safe Streets Task Force and the Cambria County Detective Bureau. 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. 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. (Pittsburgh FBI) They're indicted for selling multiple drugs including heroin, fentanyl, methamphetamines, cocaine and crack. Altoona police say two individuals were arrested and charged this week following a large-scale methamphetamine bust in Blair County. 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. Investigators say in late August, authorities were notified that the pair was transporting a large amount of methamphetamine from Allentown to the Altoona area. 12/23/22 Pa Live! This represents the largest seizure of methamphetamine destined for Blair County in the Countys history. 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 . 717-787-8242 1 gram of heroin, 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. Get the Android Weather app from Google Play, Assisted suicide bill proposed by 6 Pa Lawmakers, Hungry? One at a home on Beale Avenue and another on. 717-787-8242 717-787-3391. press@attorneygeneral.gov, Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General Strawberry Square 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. 4.6 ounces of cocaine, 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. These individuals sold thousands of dollars in addictive, life-altering drugs, sometimes in the presence of children. Friday, January 20th 2017. 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. The 153 grams of heroin equals about 5.5 ounces. 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. Investigators say in late August, authorities were notified that the pair was transporting a large amount of methamphetamine from Allentown to the Altoona area. The incident, which prompted Logan Township police to file charges. Distributed 300,000 drug disposal pouches in 17 counties in Pennsylvania. In early July, officers responded to a disturbance at the home. Two people are in custody and thousands of doses of heroin and fentanyl are off the street after police in Altoona searched two properties in Altoona. NEW DETAILS: After police interviewed both Walter and Eckert, officials found that another contact named C would give the meth to them. 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 Johnstown,PA 15904, Copyright Nearly half the arrests made today were for people selling Suboxone, a drug used to treat opioid addition and prevent painful withdrawal symptoms. 21 grams of a white powder, suspected to be fentanyl, The total monetary value of the drugs that were found amounts to over $250,000 police say. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. It has been called Dr. Seuss Day because of this. 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. I would note that practically all of the dealers arrested today are street-level dealers. 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. Email: 21 grams of a white powder, suspected to be fentanyl, Cresson Township police, Cresson Borough police, Jackson Township police and the Johnstown Police Department K9 Unit also assisted at the scene. 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. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. She responded by saying that Walter was arrested by probation as a cover-up for the drug shipment that police intercepted. Today's breaking news and more in your inbox. The investigation is ongoing, and officials said additional charges are possible. 50 years ago: March 1, 1973 Police then took her phone to search and told her that she would get it back after the search, according to the complaint. Although most, if not all, of the narcotics suppliers normally come from out of town, these local dealers are a major component in the narcotics network that spreads this poison throughout the county.. December 15, 2021 / 11:08 AM / CBS Pittsburgh. Altoona police say two individuals were arrested and charged this week following a large-scale methamphetamine bust in Blair County. Today's breaking news and more in your inbox. 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. Three people were taken into custody after police seized drugs, paraphernalia and firearms from a Cambria County . Eckert told him that it wasnt just his but both of theirs. September 24, 2021. 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. "Thus, the Suboxone traffic goes hand in hand with opioid addiction in this area and around the state and the county," said Shapiro. Citizens are reminded to report suspicious activity. 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. 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. 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. 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. It is important that these individuals be targeted. 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. Simmons was brought into custody on outstanding warrants, and McDaniels was detained on a probation violation, court documents stated. 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. The Altoona Police Department along with the Blair County Drug Task Force and the PA Office of the Attorney General performed a detail in the city and in Logan Township. 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. Mirror Staff Writer Greg Bock is at 946-7458. By: KDKA-TV News Staff. 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. If you see something, say something.. press@attorneygeneral.gov, Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General Strawberry Square Active Scene on Birchwood Lane in Eau Claire Co. Tell us where we should look inside here. 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. 00:03. 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,. Mailing Address: Matt Plummer, an Altoona Police Department spokesperson. A brick would represent about 1 gram, according to police. He's set to appear In court on Wednesday. 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. 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. 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. 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. After conducting a traffic stop, both Eckert and Walter were taken into custody and interviewed. INDIANA, Pa. (KDKA) - More than a dozen dealers are facing charges after a drug sweep in Indiana County, prosecutors . 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. 2023 WWCP, FOX 8 - Eckert was brought in next to be interviewed by officials. 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. 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. Altoona Police say the 21-year-old and another person were bringing thousands of packets of heroin from Pittsburgh to Altoona. Matt Plummer, an Altoona. PA Office of Attorney General / Press Office Authorities note that additional arrests will be announced at a later date, as a result of the investigation. 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. Email: In another recorded phone call, Walter talks about how it is his fault that all the kids in the area are on meth and that it is probably his fault. Eckert told him that it wasnt just his but both of theirs this will. Distribution of methamphetamine destined for Blair County should contact the Operation Our Town Push Out the Pusher hotline at.... 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