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. Increased arrests of doctors and other medical personnel for illegal diversions of prescription drugs by 72 percent. 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. She explained how she and Walter would get the drugs from a Puerto Rican contact nicknamed C or Mo. Matt Plummer, an Altoona. The National Read Across America Day takes place every year on March 2, Geisels birthday. The total monetary value of the drugs that were found amounts to over $250,000 police say. 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,. Eckert told him that it wasnt just his but both of theirs. Assisting in the search and arrests were the Cambria County Drug Task Force, the Cambria County SERT Team, state Attorney Generals Office, U.S. 1 gram of heroin, Utah DNR suggests this tasty invasive species, PA House GOP unveil package of tax relief bills, Port Matilda EMS hoping to see memberships increase, Red Flash open NEC Tournament with win over CCSU, Pirates, Mustangs claim District 6-1A titles Wednesday, Kevin Durant scores 23 points in Charlotte in Suns, Marisa leads Penn State to Big Ten Tournament win, PGA Tour moves toward elite field with no cuts for, Sponsored Content: Maine Bay & Berrys Cheese Ravioli, Sponsored Content: Blair County Home Garden & Healthy, Final Touch Occasions can help you prepare for the, Help Buford find his fur-ever home, plus bring your, Local women open Solana Aesthetics spa, offering, Sponsored Content: Plexaderm gets rid of fine lines, Altoona woman attacks boyfriend with metal bat, faces charges, Mother facing charges after DUI crash with 3-year-old in Clearfield County, Windshield covers and other handy gear you need for, 18 trendy cowboy boots to wear this winter, 18 books youll want to read on Dr. Seuss Day. Both await a preliminary hearing for Oct. 7. Do you receive unwanted calls? It is important that these individuals be targeted. First published on April 26, 2021 / 7:41 AM. The investigation is ongoing, and officials said additional charges are possible. Walter currently has a monetary bail value set for $500,000 and Eckert has one set for $300,000. 90 Lulay Street, Suite 1 50 years ago: March 1, 1973 If you see something, say something.. April 26, 2021 / 7:41 AM Copyright 2021 WEAU. 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. These individuals sold thousands of dollars in addictive, life-altering drugs, sometimes in the presence of children. Mirror Staff Writer Greg Bock is at 946-7458. HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, MONROE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) The Monroe County coroner is on the scene of a crash that has shut down State Route 33. 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. 2021 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Altoona police seized about $170,000 in suspected heroin earlier this week during an investigation into drug trafficking between Pittsburgh and Altoona, said Sgt. Harrisburg, PA 17120, Phone: Investigators say in late August, authorities were notified that the pair was transporting a large amount of methamphetamine from Allentown to the Altoona area. Community / 3 days ago. 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. Walter was arrested and sent to Altoona Police Department, and officials used two K9 units to search his vehicle. DUNCANSVILLE The Calvin House is going to the dogs. 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. Check or add your phone numbers to the Pennsylvania Do Not Call Registry. Among those arrested was . Johnstown,PA 15904, Copyright Delacruz and Wilt are slated to appear at Central Court for preliminary hearings on July 22. 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. 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. 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. BLAIR COUNTY, Pa. (WTAJ) - A Roaring Spring man was sentenced Tuesday to serve multiple decades in prison after he pleaded guilty to trafficking a large amount of meth into Blair County in 2021 . Simmons was brought into custody on outstanding warrants, and McDaniels was detained on a probation violation, court documents stated. All rights reserved. Judge Jones set bail at $500,000 cash for each. 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. 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. 717-787-3391. 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. Email: 4.6 ounces of cocaine, According to the Altoona Police Department, Jonathan Delacruz and Tori Wilt were arrested on Tuesday following the execution of two search warrants. Worked with the insurance industry to expand access to drug treatment. Anyone with information should contact the FBI Pittsburgh office at. On Tuesday, police also seized four vehicles a 2019 Dodge Challenger Scat Pack, 2017 BMW 750li, 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee and 2012 Nissan Murano. 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. Celebrating the African American holiday Kwanzaa . 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. 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. Harrisburg, PA 17120 After conducting a traffic stop, both Eckert and Walter were taken into custody and interviewed. District. residents outrage over water pipe issues. 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.. If you use a windshield cover, you can at least forget about scrapping the ice off your windshield to save some time and hassle. 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. Walter was hesitant to speak much to police and requested to speak to an attorney. by Ron Musselman. 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. Mailing Address: Arrested on average nearly five drug dealers a day. 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. NEW DETAILS: After police interviewed both Walter and Eckert, officials found that another contact named C would give the meth to them. PA Office of Attorney General / Press Office 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 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. Eckert explained how she would meet C every two weeks to buy more drugs and that Walter was along for a few trips. DUNCANSVILLE The Calvin House is going to the dogs. This case demonstrates the resources available to all corners of Cambria County, and how those resources are used to keep our citizens safe. 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. Fax: All rights reserved, The Stone Company Kitchen Island Giveaway. 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.. Altoona police say two individuals were arrested and charged this week following a large-scale methamphetamine bust in Blair County. This demonstrates the use of Suboxone to either supplement or obtain heroin. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. 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