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. ALTOONA Attorney General Josh Shapiro today announced the arrest of 32 individuals for the sale and distribution of methamphetamine in Blair County. Multiple cell phones, Two men are in custody, and efforts are underway to locate a third. My Office has been focused on keeping drug dealers out of communities in the Altoona region since I was sworn in as Attorney General, Attorney General Shapiro said. Walter was hesitant to speak much to police and requested to speak to an attorney. 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. Walter was arrested and sent to Altoona Police Department, and officials used two K9 units to search his vehicle. A Johnstown man who has been a target in two city shootings was arrested Sunday in a Blair County hotel room drug bust. The National Read Across America Day takes place every year on March 2, Geisels birthday. Email: Four people taken into custody after Altoona drug bust, Colfax man accused of possessing methamphetamine with the intent to deliver, Missing endangered person alert issued for man missing from Sheldon, Authorities identify person dead after single-vehicle rollover crash in Polk County, UWEC Class Taking a Look at Dog Cognition. 50 years ago: March 1, 1973
12/23/22 Pa Live! 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. Community / 3 days ago. 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. If packaged, the 77 grams of heroin seized could fill at least another 3,850 packets before it was cut with anything. Anyone with information should contact the FBI Pittsburgh office at. These individuals sold thousands of dollars in addictive, life-altering drugs, sometimes in the presence of children. 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. A forensic extraction of Eckerts phone found two phone numbers for C in her phone. 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. This represents the largest seizure of methamphetamine destined for Blair County in the Countys history. 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. Today's breaking news and more in your inbox. This demonstrates the use of Suboxone to either supplement or obtain heroin. Posted by Altoona Police Department - Altoona, PA on Friday, April 23, 2021 Prunty is now facing several charges, including felony conspiracy and drug charges. 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. 1 gram of heroin, 717-787-5211 If you see something, say something.. ALTOONA, Pa. (WTAJ) - A multi-vehicle crash on Pleasant Valley Boulevard has left the road closed in both directions . 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.. His office has: The Attorney General also thanked Operation Our Town for its support. 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. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. 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 . Eckert was brought in next to be interviewed by officials. Do you receive unwanted calls? HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, MONROE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) The Monroe County coroner is on the scene of a crash that has shut down State Route 33. Today's breaking news and more in your inbox. 717-787-5211 6:49 pm. 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. Three people were taken into custody after police seized drugs, paraphernalia and firearms from a Cambria County . April 26, 2021 / 7:41 AM 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. 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. 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. Nearly half the arrests made today were for people selling Suboxone, a drug used to treat opioid addition and prevent painful withdrawal symptoms. NEW DETAILS: After police interviewed both Walter and Eckert, officials found that another contact named C would give the meth to them. 00:03. Johnstown,PA 15904, Copyright 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. She responded by saying that Walter was arrested by probation as a cover-up for the drug shipment that police intercepted. 2023 WWCP, FOX 8 - All rights reserved, The Stone Company Kitchen Island Giveaway. Secora is facing suspected charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of THC (2nd+ offense), possession of drug paraphernalia, and obstructing an officer. 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. 2023 WATM, ABC 23 - Police showed her a potential picture of C at the Ramada Inn in Allentown where they met for the last two deals. 50 years ago: March 1, 1973
Fax: Well continue working with our law enforcement partners to keep this region safe.. Operation Our Town is an organization in Blair County with a mission of supporting the fight against drugs and violent crime. Officials on Sept. 21 would review phone calls in Blair County prison between Eckert and Walter. Johnstown,PA 15904, Copyright 717-787-8242 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. Marshals Service, FBI Safe Streets Task Force and the Cambria County Detective Bureau. "My Office has been focused on . District. News / Jan 14, 2021 / 11:11 PM EST. According to the Altoona Police Department, Jonathan Delacruz and Tori Wilt were arrested on Tuesday following the execution of two search warrants. Its great work by the AG and Altoona police.. 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. 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. COVID-19 SNAP benefits ending in PA, nonprofit ramping up efforts, Making roads 'SAFE' through advocacy group, Morning team celebrates 'Reads Across America' week, Pittston preps for the St. Patrick Day Parade, Acknowledging symptoms to survive a heart attack, Hazle Twp. Please enter valid email address to continue. 16th Floor, Strawberry Square Both await a preliminary hearing for Oct. 7. After going through Eckerts phone with her permission, police then found messages between her and C about an order of drugs being placed. Eckert told Walter that C ghosted her. The Eastern Adams Regional Police Department said the stash was found in a storage facility 135 miles east of Philadelphia. Mailing Address: And over $1,900 in cash. 1 gram of heroin, 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. 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. He's set to appear In court on . Police said the joint investigation by the state Attorney Generals Office and Altoona police is ongoing. Let the District Attorney know when they see criminal activity, especially drug trafficking, Blair County District Attorney Peter Weeks said. Authorities note that additional arrests will be announced at a later date, as a result of the investigation. 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. 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. Authorities note that additional arrests will be announced at a later date, as a result of the investigation. 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. press@attorneygeneral.gov, Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General Strawberry Square Charges are filed against 48-year-old Scott Lapean. 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. 00:30. 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. DUNCANSVILLE The Calvin House is going to the dogs. 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. 717-787-8242 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. BRADDOCK (KDKA) -- A candidate running for city council in Braddock has found himself in trouble with the law. Matt Plummer, an Altoona Police Department spokesperson. After conducting a traffic stop, both Eckert and Walter were taken into custody and interviewed. 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. ALTOONA, Wis. (WEAU) - A large drug bust in Altoona results in 20 charges against four people. Multiple cell phones, INDIANA, Pa. (KDKA) - More than a dozen dealers are facing charges after a drug sweep in Indiana County, prosecutors . It is important that these individuals be targeted. The Blair County district attorney explained how this bust will greatly impact the local supply of drugs. Harrisburg, PA 17120 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. 717-787-3391. ALTOONA Attorney General Josh Shapiro today announced the arrest of 32 individuals for the sale and distribution of methamphetamine in Blair County. 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. 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. Three people were taken into custody after police seized drugs, paraphernalia and firearms from a Cambria County residence, a police report stated. In early July, officers responded to a disturbance at the home. Police say authorities then searched the vehicle and seized the following: Approximately 6 pounds of methamphetamine, Altoona police seized about $170,000 in suspected heroin earlier this week during an investigation into drug trafficking between Pittsburgh and Altoona, said Sgt. 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. 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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. If you use a windshield cover, you can at least forget about scrapping the ice off your windshield to save some time and hassle. PA Office of Attorney General / Press Office Eckert was brought back in to be questioned by police on Aug. 30. DUNCANSVILLE The Calvin House is going to the dogs. Eckert would continue to meet with officials and update them on any messages that C would send. Raemon Prunty was arrested in an alleged drug-trafficking operation in Blair County. 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. Delacruz was arrested in Johnstown, Cambria County, in 2012 and ultimately sentenced to state prison after pleading guilty to felony drug charges. 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