HARRISBURG — Attorney General Kathleen G. Kane today announced criminal charges have been filed in Blair County against 30 suspected drug dealers.
The charges are the culmination of multiple investigations conducted by the Office of Attorney General’s Bureau of Narcotics Investigation and the Altoona Police Department.
The investigations, which began in September of 2014, primarily focused on individuals distributing heroin, prescription medication, marijuana and cocaine in Altoona and the surrounding municipalities. The alleged drug dealers were mainly street- to mid-level dealers, investigators reported.
The investigations consisted of approximately 52 controlled purchases, which involved undercover investigators and confidential informants. Of those charged, 10 cases involved heroin, nine involved prescription medications, three concerned cocaine or crack and eight concerned marijuana, according to investigators.
Controlled purchases took place in public streets, parking lots and inside of suspects’ residences. Information gathered from these investigations, including sources of supply, is used to target mid- to upper-level drug dealers. More arrests are anticipated as the investigations continue.
The suspects charged were expected to be apprehended during a collaborative roundup that included agents from the Office of Attorney General, officers from the Altoona Police Department and several other law enforcement agencies.
Other agencies participating in the roundup include the Blair County district attorney’s office, the Blair County Drug Task Force, the Allegheny Township Police Department, the Blair Township Police Department, the Logan Township Police Department, the Hollidaysburg Police Department, the Greenfield Township Police Department, the Tyrone Police Department, the Duncansville Police Department and the Williamsburg Police Department.
Kane thanked all participating agencies for their assistance in the investigations and the roundup.
The defendants are expected to be preliminarily arraigned before Blair County Magisterial District Judge Paula Aigner. Each defendant will be prosecuted by the office of Blair County District Attorney Richard Consiglio.
The roundup was made possible with the assistance of Operation Our Town, an organization in Blair County with a mission of supporting the fight against drugs and violent crime. Anyone with any information about drug activity is encouraged to contact the Operation Our Town “Push Out the Pusher” hot line at 814-693-3020.
Below is a list of the defendants, their last known addresses and the charges they face:
Christopher Alley, 21, 1405 18th Ave., Altoona, is charged with one count each of delivery of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance and criminal use of a communication facility (marijuana).
Stefan Batchelor, 22, 342 Second Ave., Altoona, is charged with one count each of delivery of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance and criminal use of a communication facility (cocaine).
Brittany Benzie, 24, 415 Keystone Ave., Cresson, is charged with two counts each of delivery of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance, criminal conspiracy and criminal use of a communication facility (heroin).
Joshua Burns, 26, 415 Keystone Ave., Cresson, is charged with five counts each of delivery of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance and criminal conspiracy, as well as four counts of criminal use of a communication facility (heroin).
Jamie Weatherwalk, 35, 904 16th Ave., Altoona, is charged with three counts each of delivery of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance and criminal use of a communication facility, as well as two counts of criminal conspiracy (heroin).
George Weatherwalk, 38, 904 16th Ave., Altoona, is charged with two counts each of delivery of a controlled substance, criminal conspiracy, possession of a controlled substance and criminal use of a communication facility (heroin).
Barbara Bordell, 47, 2718 Walnut Ave., Altoona, is charged with one count each of delivery of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance and criminal use of a communication facility (Methadone).
Jenalynn Bragonier, 25, 1123 18th Ave., Altoona, is charged with two counts each of delivery of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance and criminal use of a communication facility (marijuana).
Malcom Foor, 48, 1416 Third Ave., Altoona, is charged with one count each of possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, possession of a controlled substance and possession of a small amount of marijuana (marijuana).
Jessica Foor, 27, 1510 14th St., Altoona, is charged with one count each of possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, possession of a controlled substance and criminal conspiracy (marijuana).
Keith Gales, 30, 1510 14th St., Altoona, is charged with one count each of possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, possession of a controlled substance and criminal conspiracy (marijuana).
Anthony Hess, 35, 2103 Washington Ave., Second Floor, Altoona, is charged with one count each of delivery of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance and criminal use of a communication facility (marijuana).
Peggy Kabore, 42, 1112 14th Ave., 1st Floor, Altoona, is charged with two counts each of delivery of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance and criminal use of a communication facility (Lorazepam).
Heather Lee, 44, 210 N. 10th Ave., Altoona, is charged with one count each of delivery of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance and criminal use of a communication facility (heroin).
Scott Morrissey, 27, 160 Igou Rd., Tyrone, is charged with two counts each of delivery of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance and criminal use of a communication facility (cocaine).
Sally Pope, 55, 608 Fifth Ave., Altoona, is charged with two counts each of delivery of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance and criminal use of a communication facility (Clonazepam).
Tom Shea, 30, 1300 Fourth St., Altoona, is charged with four counts each of delivery of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance and criminal use of a communication facility, as well as two counts of criminal conspiracy (heroin).
Nicole Kizina, 34, 1300 Fourth St., Altoona, is charged with two counts each of delivery of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance, criminal conspiracy and criminal use of a communication facility (heroin).
Marvin Snyder, 49, 2615 Seventh Ave., Altoona, is charged with one count each of delivery of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance, criminal conspiracy and criminal use of a communication facility (marijuana).
Maurice Wakefield, 22, 5928 Evergreen Ct., Apt. C, Altoona, is charged with three counts each of delivery of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance and criminal use of a communication facility, as well as one count of criminal conspiracy (heroin).
Jessica Grimme, 25, 224 Third Ave., Apt. 4, Altoona, is charged with two counts each of delivery of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance and criminal use of a communication facility, as well as one count of criminal conspiracy (Suboxone).
Stephanie Duffield, 54, 1611 Bonnie Circle, Easton, is charged with one count each of delivery of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance and criminal conspiracy (Suboxone).
Jenna Greene, 21, 224 Fifth Ave., Altoona, is charged with two counts each of delivery of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance and criminal use of a communication facility, as well as one count of criminal conspiracy (Butrans and Oxycodone).
Jade Frederick, 23, 608 Fifth Ave., Altoona, is charged with two counts each of delivery of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance and criminal use of a communication facility, as well as one count of criminal conspiracy (Butrans).
Hazel Stewart, 28, 1504½ 13th St., Altoona, is charged with one count each of delivery of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance, criminal conspiracy and criminal use of a communication facility (heroin).
Antonio Lacroce IV, 29, 1504½ 13th St., Altoona, is charged with one count each of delivery of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance and criminal use of a communication facility (heroin).
Casey Mort, 27, 524 Fifth Ave., Third Floor, Altoona, is charged with one count each of delivery of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance, criminal conspiracy and criminal use of a communication facility (marijuana).
Timothy Rossman, 28, 1540 Bell Ave., Altoona, is charged with one count each of delivery of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance, criminal conspiracy and criminal use of a communication facility (Suboxone).
Caleb Epple, 22, 2904 Third Ave., Altoona, is charged with one count each of delivery of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance, criminal conspiracy and criminal use of communication facility (Suboxone).
Norman Jackson, 30, 5628 Rodman St., Philadelphia, is charged with three counts each of delivery of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance and criminal use of a communication facility, as well as two counts of criminal conspiracy (crack cocaine).
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. Tips may also be submitted electronically here .