HARRISBURG, PA — Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday announced that 10 people from the Blair County region face charges in connection with the distribution of methamphetamine and heroin, including one woman accused of giving methamphetamine to her young children.
Officials said the arrests are part of a wider effort to target drug trafficking in the area. Those charged include Douglas Zimmerman, Kayla Smith, Damien Hild, Joseph Shaffer, Michael Light, Jarel Nimitz, Chelsey Judd, Lynetchie Alexis, Joshua Snyder, and Joseph Walker. According to investigators, the individuals were not part of a single organization but instead operated independently.
“In recent days, working with law enforcement partners, we actively pursued and arrested these drug traffickers, who peddled poison into the community and put people at risk,” Attorney General Sunday said. He added that drug trafficking continues to harm both large cities and small towns across the Commonwealth.
Among the defendants, Judd faces some of the most serious allegations. Authorities said she allowed her two children, both under age 5, to use methamphetamine and was using drugs in their presence. She has been charged with endangering the welfare of children, corruption of minors, placing another person in danger, simple assault, conspiracy, and possession with intent to deliver.
Snyder, Smith, Shaffer, Light, Alexis, and Hild each face felony charges of possession with intent to deliver, conspiracy, and related offenses. Zimmerman was also charged with felony possession with intent to deliver, conspiracy, and related crimes.
The arrests followed investigations led by the Attorney General’s Bureau of Narcotics Drug Strike Force, with support from Pennsylvania State Police, Bellwood Police Department, Tyrone Police Department, the Centre County Drug Task Force, Altoona Police Department, and Blair County Children, Youth, and Families.
The cases remain under investigation. Criminal charges are allegations only, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
For the latest news on everything happening in Chester County and the surrounding area, be sure to follow MyChesCo on Google News and MSN.