CLEARFIELD – Four people are facing felony charges following a drug raid at a Clearfield residence back in early February.
Vincent L. Panebianco, 29, of Clearfield, Darrell Taylor, 29, of Springdale, Lukus Pickard, 35, also of Clearfield, and Mallory Bloom, 26, of Curwensville were charged by the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General on Wednesday through the office of Magisterial District Judge Mike Morris.
The charges stem from an ongoing investigation into the distribution of quantities of methamphetamine from a Clearfield residence after information was provided to OAG by Lawrence Township police, according to the affidavit of probable cause.
On numerous occasions, officers observed high amounts of “short stay” traffic at Panebianco’s residence at 1815 Daisy Street Ext. Neighbors made the same observations and as recent as Feb. 1; they provided this information to the township police.
An undercover agent conducted surveillance in the area Feb. 1 and observed a Caucasian male exit the rear door of the residence. He entered the passenger’s side of a small, coupe-style vehicle, which subsequently departed.
It was stopped minutes later by a state trooper after several traffic violations and it was learned that there was an active arrest warrant for the passenger, Marcus Waltmon.
While he was being taken into custody, Waltmon “spontaneously” informed officers of a “loaded” needle of methamphetamine on the passenger’s side.
He said he didn’t want officers to get injured when they found it. It was located and they received consent to search the vehicle from the driver.
During a search of the vehicle, officers located a lock box in the rear seat, which was opened by the driver and reportedly contained $19,020 in cash.
Also, phones, scales, packaging materials and small amounts of methamphetamine and marijuana and additional amounts of money were allegedly seized from the driver ($2,628) and Waltmon ($662). Both were taken to the township police station for questioning.
While in police custody, the driver’s phone rang continuously, and the calls were apparently from the Akron, Ohio area, which agents referenced as a known “source city” for methamphetamine.
The undercover agents believed the cash seized from Panebianco’s residence and from within the vehicle were meant to be used to purchase additional supplies of methamphetamine for distribution in Clearfield.
Based upon their experience, they also believed this money came from the sale of methamphetamine, and that associated materials were also purchased with this money.
As a result of the traffic stop, agents applied for and obtained a search warrant, which was executed on Panebianco’s residence. Inside the home, officers located Panebianco, Taylor, Pickard and Bloom along with two juveniles under the age of 10 years old.
A search allegedly turned up a large quantity of methamphetamine and other items – packaging materials, scales etc. – that indicated the occupants were involved in the distribution of the drug.
In a dresser in Panebianco’s room, officers found a stack of identification cards for various people. Drug dealers usually take personal property, such as driver’s licenses and cellular phones, from others to ensure payment at a later date, the agents said in the affidavit.
Taylor was also allegedly in unlawful possession of two firearms, namely a Smith & Wesson .380-caliber handgun and a 12-gauge Mossberg shotgun
Panebianco, Pickard and Bloom have been charged with two felony counts of manufacture, delivery or possession with intent to manufacture or deliver and a felony count each of dealing in proceeds of unlawful activities and endangering the welfare of children.
Taylor has been charged with two felony counts each of manufacture, delivery or possession with intent to manufacture or deliver and possession of firearm prohibited, plus a felony count each of dealing in proceeds of unlawful activities and endangering the welfare of children.
Bail is currently set at $250,000 monetary for Panebianco, Taylor and Bloom and $100,000 monetary for Pickard. All four remain incarcerated and have been scheduled to appear for preliminary hearings at 11 a.m. March 5.
