HARRISBURG — Attorney General Kathleen G. Kane has announced the arrest of two Allegheny County men charged with various crimes, including conspiring to deal heroin.
The arrests were made Sunday in Logan Township, Blair County. Investigators also seized nearly 900 packets of heroin as part of the investigation.
The arrests were the result of a joint operation between agents from the Office of Attorney General’s Bureau of Narcotics Investigation, members of the Attorney General’s Region 4 West Task Force and the Altoona City Police Department.
Sha’ron Raymere Wilson, 23, 2704 Stewart St., McKeesport, and Darrell Maurice Lewis, 22, 7303 Burton St., Pittsburgh, were the defendants taken into custody.
Investigators on Sunday reported conducting a controlled purchase of heroin with Lewis along the 400 block of Orchard Avenue. After the purchase, investigators said they followed Lewis to a room at the Motel 6 located at 1500 Sterling St.
Investigators set up surveillance on the room and said they later arrested Lewis as he was leaving. He was allegedly found with six packets of suspected heroin and a .38 caliber revolver, which investigators said was reported stolen.
Wilson also was spotted peering out of the same motel room’s window, investigators allege. They obtained a key card to the room and took Wilson into custody.
After obtaining a search warrant, an additional 880 packets of heroin — with a street value of roughly $17,600 — and a 9 mm handgun were reportedly seized. Investigators also seized $1,100, two cell phones and a small amount of marijuana.
Lewis is charged with three counts of possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver and two counts each of criminal conspiracy/possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver and possession of a controlled substance.
Other single counts filed against Lewis are possession of heroin, possession of a small amount of marijuana, persons not to possess a firearm, carrying a firearm without a license, receiving stolen property and criminal use of a communication facility.
Wilson is charged with two counts of possession of a controlled substance and one count each of criminal conspiracy/possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver, criminal conspiracy/delivery of heroin, delivery of heroin, possession with intent to deliver heroin, criminal use of a communication facility and possession of a small amount of marijuana.
Lewis and Wilson are both being held in the Blair County Prison in lieu of $30,000 bail. Preliminary hearings are tentatively scheduled for July 23. The suspects will be prosecuted by the Blair County district attorney’s office.
Kane thanked the Altoona City Police Department, Region 4 West Task Force members and Operation Our Town for their efforts during the investigation.
Individuals who have witnessed a drug deal in their neighborhood or suspect illegal drug activity where they live or work can send an anonymous tip to the Office of Attorney General by texting PADRUGS + YOUR TIP to 847411.