CLEARFIELD – Ten of the 13 drug suspects who were arrested last week as part of “Operation Gobble Up” appeared Wednesday for preliminary hearings before Magisterial District Judge Richard Ireland during Centralized Court at the Clearfield County Jail.
- Connie Nivotney, 53, of Curwensville has been charged with manufacture, delivery, or possession with intent to manufacture or deliver and intentional possession of a controlled substance by a person not registered. Her bail has been set at $50,000 monetary.
- Azure Luzier, 36, of Philipsburg has been charged with identity theft; forgery; intentional possession of a controlled substance by a person not registered; use/possession of drug paraphernalia; and defiant trespass. Her bail has been set at $50,000 monetary.
- David Carrier, 46, of Philipsburg has been charged with use/possession of drug paraphernalia and a small amount of marijuana. His bail has been set at $10,000 monetary.
- Ashley Marie Kirk, 25, of Clearfield has been charged with conspiracy/manufacture, delivery or possession with intent to manufacture or deliver. Her bail was set at $50,000 monetary but previously modified to unsecured at the request of the Attorney General’s office, according to online court records.
- Mark James Hackett, 26, of Mineral Springs has been charged with conspiracy/manufacture, delivery, or possession with intent to manufacture or deliver; manufacture, delivery, or possession with intent to manufacture or deliver; and criminal use of a communications facility. His bail has been set at $50,000 monetary.
- Brandon Timko, 26, of Curwensville has been charged with conspiracy/manufacture, delivery, or possession with intent to manufacture or deliver; manufacture, delivery, or possession with intent to manufacture or deliver; intentional possession of a controlled substance by a person not registered; and criminal use of a communications facility. His bail has been set at $50,000 monetary.
- Lacey Levesque, 23, of Curwensville has been charged with conspiracy/manufacture, delivery, or possession with intent to manufacture or deliver and intentional possession of a controlled substance by a person not registered. Her bail was originally set at $50,000 but modified to $10,000 monetary at her preliminary hearing.
- Krista Wilkinson, 25, of Clearfield has been charged with possession of a controlled substance – contraband/inmate. Her bail has been set at $50,000 monetary.
- Matthew Smith, 29, of Clearfield has been charged with use/possession of drug paraphernalia. His bail has been set at $10,000 monetary.
- Crystal Wise, 34, of Clearfield has been charged with use/possession of drug paraphernalia. She is free on $5,000 unsecured bail.
All of the suspects waived their charges to the Court of Common Pleas, except for Smith. Smith entered a guilty plea at his preliminary hearing.
According to the affidavit of probable cause in the Nivotney case, on June 11, agents met with a confidential informant about conducting an undercover purchase of marijuana. Agents traveled with the CI to meet Nivotney in Curwensville. Upon arrival the CI said they could just enter the residence. Once inside they went upstairs, and the CI introduced the agent to Nivotney, who invited them into her bedroom.
The CI told Nivotney that the agent was interested in purchasing some marijuana. Nivotney walked to the side of the bed next to a large closet, where she retrieved a basket filled with several pre-packaged bags of marijuana and a scale. Nivotney proceeded to weigh out approximately one gram and put it into a small Ziploc bag. She handed it to the agent who asked about the price.
When Nivotney replied $20, the agent asked to purchase a total of $60 worth of marijuana. Nivotney proceeded to weigh out $60 worth and placed it in a plastic sandwich bag. She handed the bag back to the agent who turned over $60.
On Aug. 8, the agent went back to the Nivotney residence and knocked several times. After getting ready to leave, Nivotney answered and invited the agent in. They went upstairs and into the bedroom; Nivotney immediately went to the dresser and asked the agent how much. Nivotney retrieved a Ziploc bag with a quantity of marijuana, as well as an empty sandwich bag.
Nivotney took the marijuana over to the bed and weighed it out. The agent asked if they could send some friends to purchase marijuana from her. Nivotney said yes and instructed the agent to tell them to just walk inside the front door and proceed to her bedroom.
When asked if she was getting a lot of marijuana from a source, Nivotney held up the Ziploc bag and said, “This is what I have.” She explained that she gets a quarter-pound of marijuana at a time to sell, and it’s “really good stuff.” Nivotney handed a small sandwich bag of marijuana to the agent, which she believed totaled 8 grams. Nivotney said it would be $120, as her source raised his price. The agent told Nivotney that they only had $100 that day, and Nivotney said that was OK.
According to the affidavits of probable cause in the Luzier and Carrier cases, on June 26, a state parole official contacted Clearfield Borough police and requested assistance with searching the residence of Luzier for a male who was wanted for parole violations. Upon arrival Luzier and Carrier were found at the residence. While searching for the wanted male, a state parole agent observed drug paraphernalia in plain view in a bedroom and showed police.
In the bedroom, police observed a large glass and metal bong used for smoking marijuana and synthetic controlled substances. It contained residue. They also observed a plastic Ziploc baggie used for packaging marijuana or synthetic controlled substances; a small wooden box with four empty baggies used for packaging marijuana; notebook paper with writings, such as “marijuana, cocaine, K2;” a soda can altered into a pipe for smoking controlled substances, which contained residue; and a cut straw used to inhale controlled substances, such as cocaine.
After obtaining consent to search, police observed Luzier appearing nervous and holding a purse by the shoulder strap. When police asked for her purse, Luzier recanted her permission to search. Thirty minutes later while preparing a search warrant, Luzier verbally permitted for police to search a second time. Police obtained a search warrant through the Clearfield County District Attorney’s office.
As a result of the search, police seized a water bong; a Mountain Dew can altered into a bowl to smoke controlled substances; plastic baggies to package controlled substances; mirrors with straws and razor blades; prescription medication bottles with the names of other persons; empty wrappers used to package bath salts; numerous smoking pipes and syringes; a photocopied Pennsylvania driver’s license and a social security card for another person; and three prescription pill bottles with labels with that person’s name.
On June 27, police contacted the person whose name appeared on the driver’s license, social security card and pill bottles. She told police she’d never seen the doctor who prescribed the medication. In addition, she told police that she doesn’t get her prescriptions filled at Wal-Mart. She also advised she’d never authorized Luzier to use her identification to obtain pills and wasn’t sure how Luzier had gotten it.
The next day, police went to Wal-Mart and requested video surveillance and a patient profile. Upon viewing surveillance for June 24, police identified Luzier’s brother with a female who was possibly her. Police contacted authorities in Peters Township, the jurisdiction of the doctor’s office. Police requested assistance in identifying the woman using the other’s name to obtain prescriptions on June 20 for Xanax, Ritalin and Subutex. Police obtained a patient profile showing prescriptions being filled at Wal-Mart from June 21, 2012 until June 24.
Further investigation revealed that Luzier stole the identification of another woman in June of 2012. She used the identification to begin seeing a doctor in Pittsburgh, as well as AIT Laboratories of Indianapolis, IN for blood analysis. Luzier was obtaining three prescriptions for Subutex, Xanax and Ritalin and filling them at the Wal-Mart Pharmacy with help from two others, the affidavit states.
On July 15, police went to Luzier’s residence, which was being cleaned by a woman. The woman had discovered a small silver metal pipe and a pill bottle with marijuana under a mattress in the bedroom of Luzier and Carrier.
According to the affidavits of probable cause in the Hackett and Kirk cases, on June 28, a CI advised agents that they could purchase Subutex, a Schedule III controlled substance, from Hackett. The CI, under the direction of agents, contacted Hackett by phone about buying Subutex. Hackett told the CI he would call in about one-hour.
At 11:35 a.m., the CI, under the direction of agents, text-messaged Hackett to see how much longer it would be for him to deliver the Subutex. Several minutes later, Hackett called the CI, stating he was getting the Subutex, and they arranged to meet in approximately 15 minutes at Lower Witmer Park. Upon arrival an agent and CI walked to the lower picnic pavilion and waited for Hackett; however, Hackett text-messaged the CI and asked to meet at the Kwik Fill near Dairy Queen, because they had to go to Philipsburg for the Subutex. Hackett told the CI to leave the park in about 10 minutes.
At approximately 12:25 p.m., Hackett text-messaged the CI to arrange to meet at Gio’s in Woodland. Then, at approximately 12:46 p.m., Hackett text-messaged the CI to meet him at the convenience store in Bigler; the CI responded back by saying “no.” Hackett replied, saying he would be at their meeting location shortly.
Several minutes later, Hackett was observed as a passenger in a vehicle operated by Kirk. The CI and agent exited their vehicle and approached the passenger’s side of Kirk’s vehicle. Immediately upon approaching the vehicle, the agent observed a green and white prescription bag in the console between Hackett and Kirk. The agent, CI and Hackett discussed the sale of the Subutex. Hackett produced three white pills that were inside a cellophane cigarette pack wrapper and handed them to the CI.
The CI told Hackett the Subutex was for the agent. The agent accepted the pills and handed $120 to Hackett. At this point, the CI explained to Hackett that they worked out-of-town, and it would be easier if the CI could give the agent Hackett’s telephone number. Kirk asked the agent what their name was and where they were from. However, Hackett was still uneasy about proceeding this way and told the CI he’d be in touch about it later.
According to the affidavits of probable cause in the Timko and Levesque cases, on June 30, a CI told an agent that Timko was in possession of at least two bundles of heroin. The CI would be able to arrange for the agent to purchase two stamp bags of heroin from Timko for $25 each. At approximately 12:50 p.m., agents and the CI traveled to the Curwensville Commons to meet with Timko.
Just before 1 p.m., an agent and the CI went to an apartment and knocked, at which point they were greeted by Levesque. Once inside, the agent recognized Timko, who walked to the kitchen area and obtained a box from on top of the refrigerator. He came over to the couch area and sat beside Levesque and then produced a clear bag containing approximately three bundles of heroin. Timko placed them on top of the coffee table in front of Levesque, the agent and CI.
Timko unwrapped one of the bundles of heroin and placed the blue stamp bags on the coffee table. Levesque handled some of the bags, stating the weight was good and that the heroin was of good quality. The CI subsequently handed the bag to the agent who retrieved the second bag of heroin from the coffee table to examine it. The agent kept the bag and gave $50 to Timko.
Timko produced a roll of cash that was rubber-banded together and placed the $50 within it. He told the agent he had three bundles left, and this was the last one he’d break up. Levesque then told the agent the heroin came from Philadelphia, and each bundle consisted of 10 bags. Levesque asked the agent about getting her and Timko some clean needles; the agent said they’d try to.
At approximately 12:37 p.m. Aug. 20, the agent text-messaged Timko and asked about him “holding a buck” for them. Timko called the agent and asked when they’d last spoken to the CI. The agent said they had two days ago. Timko told the agent that the CI had been telling people he had controlled substances when he didn’t. However, Timko stated he could get “hard” (cocaine), and the agent only had to give him a ride to get it. Timko told the agent it was $100 per gram.
At approximately 2:06 p.m., Timko called the agent, stating he could supply the cocaine. He told the agent to pick him up and take him to East End to meet with his supplier. In addition, Timko told the agent he would need the money up front; Timko would give his cellular phone as collateral while he went for the cocaine.
About an hour later, the agent and Timko arrived in East End. The agent dropped Timko off near Buster’s Bar on Daisy Street and gave him $100. A short time later, Timko returned to the vehicle to send a text message to his supplier to let him know he was there. Several minutes later, Timko entered the front passenger’s side and handed the agent a small, stamp-sized Ziploc bag with approximately one gram of a white powdery substance. Timko boasted about the quality of the cocaine to the agent.
According to the affidavit of probable cause in the Wilkinson case, on Nov. 4, a deputy warden from the CCJ contacted an agent about an inmate bringing contraband into the jail. The deputy warden said Wilkinson had brought in Subutex and Klonopin on Oct. 30.
On Nov. 5, the agent interviewed wardens and a corrections officer who had questioned an inmate on Oct. 31 about rumors of drugs being brought into the jail. The inmate had admitted to being high and told them that Wilkinson brought controlled substances into the CCJ.
A deputy warden and CO went to the “J” block where inmates were ordered to leave their cells and go to the day area. All female inmates complied with the exception of Wilkinson. When looking into Wilkinson’s cell, her back was turned, and it appeared she was concealing something. Upon entering the cell, Wilkinson was observed attempting to flush a milk carton down the toilet. Wilkinson was removed from the cell and escorted to a holding area.
Upon searching the cell, a CO found the milk carton inside the toilet. Inside the carton, the CO found numerous green-colored pills, which were wet from being in the toilet and had started to disintegrate. According to a report submitted by the CO, several female inmates admitted to snorting pills.
Later on Nov. 5, Wilkinson was found crying by the CO who asked her what was wrong. Wilkinson asked to speak with one of the wardens, stating “I’m ready to come clean. I brought the pills in.” Wilkinson then admitted to the crime to the deputy warden and the CO.
When interviewed by the agent on Nov. 5, she said she was prescribed Subutex and Klonopin. She was brought into the CCJ and had the pills hidden in her underwear. After leaving the magistrate’s office, she told the agent she had an anxiety attack and was taken to the hospital by deputies. Wilkinson said while she was at the hospital, she placed the pills inside a body cavity, so that they wouldn’t be located by law enforcement.
Wilkinson told the agent she left the pills inside her body cavity until she arrived at the CCJ on Oct. 30. She was assigned to the “J” block the next day, which is when she removed the pills from her body and told another inmate what had happened. Once other inmates learned about the pills, Wilkinson said they wanted to take them.
In one cell, Wilkinson removed the pills from her body and gave some to another inmate. While in the cell, the two crushed and snorted the pills until they were discovered on a video recording system at the CCJ. When the deputy warden and CO locked her block down, Wilkinson said she attempted to flush the pills down the toilet.
According to the affidavit of probable cause in the Smith case, at approximately 6:53 p.m. Sept. 2, Clearfield Borough police received a report about a male who was breaking into vehicles in the area of 209 W. Fifth Ave. The male was described as wearing a blue hoody and walking toward Clearfield Street. He met up with another male who was wearing a white T-shirt. Police located both males at the intersection of Clearfield Street and West Fifth Avenue. Smith was identified as the male in the T-shirt.
Smith was known to have a warrant through the police department. He was advised to put his hands on the vehicle. Smith did so and then put them back into his pockets. He started questioning police about why he was being asked to put his hands on the vehicle. Smith was told about an investigation into vehicle break-ins.
Smith was eventually put in handcuffs since he wouldn’t leave his hands on the vehicle. When police attempted to handcuff him, Smith continued to put his hands in his pockets. Even after he was handcuffed, Smith continued to reach for his pockets. Police then searched Smith and found a clear glass pipe in the front, right pocket, which had a burnt residue on it. At the station, Smith admitted that the pipe belonged to him, and he uses it to smoke crack.
According to the affidavit of probable cause in the Wise case, on Nov. 28, 2012, authorities were advised that drug paraphernalia was found in the parking lot of the Sapp Bros. Truck Stop. Upon arrival, an agent met with a manager who turned over a zebra print bag that contained spoons, cotton balls and a syringe, which are consistent with drug use. The manager told agents she thought the bag belonged to Wise.
At that point, the agents requested an announcement about the zebra print bag being found in the parking lot. After several minutes, authorities approached Wise, who stated “That’s my bag.” During an interview, Wise stated she’d been a needle user of drugs for about one year, and she’d purchased Subutex tablets from someone in Clearfield about one-week before the incident.
Also in relation to “Operation Gobble Up,” Justin Christopher Wisor, 20, of Mineral Springs waived his charges prior to Centralized Court on Wednesday. Wisor has been charged with intentional possession of a controlled substance by a person not registered; manufacture, delivery, or possession with intent to manufacture or deliver; and criminal use of a communication facility. He’s been accused of selling synthetic marijuana to an undercover agent. Wisor’s bail was set at $10,000 monetary, which he’s posted.
Taylor C. Johns, 22, of Grassflat has been charged with manufacture, delivery, or possession with intent to manufacture or deliver and criminal use of a communications facility. She’s been accused of selling prescription medication to an undercover agent. Her bail has been set at $50,000 monetary; her preliminary hearing is scheduled for 10:15 a.m. Dec. 4.
James Burnside, 49, of DuBois has been charged with manufacture, delivery, or possession with intent to manufacture or deliver and criminal use of a communication facility. He’s been accused of selling prescription medication to an undercover agent. His bail has been set at $50,000 monetary; his preliminary hearing is scheduled for 11 a.m. Dec. 6.