JOHNSTOWN, PA — Sixty-five people have been charged with felony drug offenses following a nine-month investigation into alleged trafficking operations in Altoona, Johnstown and surrounding communities, according to the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General.
Attorney General Dave Sunday reported that 50 defendants had been arrested and arraigned as of Friday, while authorities continued searching for 15 others named in outstanding felony warrants.
According to investigators, the operation focused on the alleged distribution of heroin and fentanyl, crystal methamphetamine, crack cocaine, cocaine and other controlled substances. Authorities identified Philadelphia and Pittsburgh among the suspected source cities during an investigation that included surveillance and undercover operations.
The Office of Attorney General led the investigation and coordinated the recent arrests with federal, state, county and municipal law enforcement agencies. Many of the defendants remained incarcerated pending bail, according to the Attorney General’s Office.
The following defendants were charged with felony drug offenses and taken into custody in Blair County:
Kristopher Albright, 36, of Altoona; Jory Woolridge, 52, of Altoona; Jacob Culp, 32, of Hollidaysburg; Shane Trauger, 39, of Altoona; Tone Hancock, 38, of Altoona; Joshua Krider, 49, of Hollidaysburg; Effieann Potts, 32, of Altoona; Charles Strohmeyer, 57, of Altoona; Lance Shaneyfelt, 34, of Altoona; Tyler Knepp, 36, of Altoona; Benjamin Locke, 32, of Philadelphia; Amy Burke, 57, of Altoona; Todd Finochio, 53, of Altoona; Paula Perini, 56, of Altoona; Patti Miller, 60, of New Paris; Donna Ryan, 61, of Altoona; Marco Martin, 37, of Altoona; Kenneth Roberson, 70, of Altoona; Christina Hall, 36, of Altoona; Danelle Garland, 47, of Altoona; Phillip Dunn, 60, of Altoona; Carlton Estes, 60, of Altoona; Edward Marks, 47, of Altoona; Brent Meyers, 41, of Altoona; Keith Harris, 32, of Altoona; Ashley Growden, 40, of Everett; Christina Stein, 38, of Altoona; Christopher Sensabaugh, 30, of Altoona; Michael Riggleman, 56, of Tyrone; Jennifer Sell, 46, of Phillipsburg; Brian Donoughe, 42, of Altoona; Robert Hecker, 46, of Altoona; Anna Strayer, 44, of Osterburg; and Jerry Brown, 52, of Altoona.
The following defendants were charged and taken into custody in Cambria County:
Daquan Brown, 24, of Johnstown; Dashaun Carmichael, 46, of Johnstown; Johnny Carter, 42, of Johnstown; Michael Hall, 38, of Johnstown; Michelle Hill, 41, of Johnstown; Paula Pcola, 45; Lindsay Miller, 44, of Johnstown; Kato Perry, 31, of Johnstown; Ziare Pittman, 28, of Johnstown; Eric Ponder, 40, of Johnstown; Jimmy Ryles, 39; Codi Smith, 29, of Johnstown; Matthew Zabala, 43, of Johnstown; Donielle Townsend, 41, of Johnstown; Justin Pileski, 30, of Johnstown; and John Noon, 40, of Johnstown.
Investigators reported that outstanding felony warrants had been issued for Tina Hennessey, 51, of Altoona; Ronald Kenney, 47, of Altoona; James Stiffler, 52, of Altoona; Shawn Perry, 43, of Altoona; Calvin Carson, 38, of Altoona; Ajee Chriswell-Booker of Philadelphia; Emonee Peterson, 30, of Altoona; Frank Minielli, 37, of Altoona; Matthew Lantz, 36, of Altoona; Brittany Miller, 29, of Tyrone; Darren Alston, 34, of Johnstown; Nifeece Brown, 30; Tessa Chiappini, 38, of Johnstown; George Robinson, 35, of Johnstown; and Ralph Munoz, 44, of Johnstown.
Blair County agencies assisting with the investigation included the Altoona, Tyrone, Allegheny Township, Logan Township, Bellwood and Huntingdon Borough police departments; Pennsylvania State Police; the Blair County Sheriff’s Office; Blair County Parole and Probation; and Blair County Prison officials.
Authorities assisting in Cambria County included the Cambria County Detective Bureau, District Attorney’s Office and Sheriff’s Department; the Richland Township, Cambria Township and Johnstown police departments; Pennsylvania State Police; the FBI Safe Streets Task Force; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Homeland Security Investigations; and the U.S. Marshals Service.
The Blair County and Cambria County district attorney’s offices will prosecute the cases, according to the Attorney General’s Office.
All suspects, arrestees, and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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