HARRISBURG – Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen G. Kane’s office today announced criminal charges have been filed against 17 individuals accused of distributing or possessing illegal drugs in Centre County.
A year-long investigation that culminated in today’s charges focused on street-level dealers accused of distributing prescription narcotics, cocaine, LSD, synthetic marijuana and marijuana. Additional criminal charges were also filed involving firearms violations, theft and other criminal offenses.
The investigation was conducted by the Centre County Drug Task Force, which is a collaborative effort between agents with the Office of Attorney General’s Bureau of Narcotics Investigation and local authorities, including the office of Centre County District Attorney Stacy Parks Miller.
“This investigation should serve as a reminder that we are working throughout the Commonwealth to root out individuals who sell these deadly drugs for their own gain,” Kane said. “We are working each and every day to battle the drug epidemic and to safeguard our communities.”
“This is just part of the proactive approach we are taking to deal with our drug problems,” Parks Miller said. “We need to treat addicts and disrupt the drug trade, which is literally killing people at increasing numbers. If you bring poison to our community, there will be serious consequences.”
Law enforcement officials used various tools, including surveillance techniques and undercover purchases, as they worked to file charges in this investigation.
Investigators also made a series of controlled purchases utilizing confidential informants and undercover officers/agents. Controlled purchases were made in State College, Bellefonte and other surrounding municipalities. The investigation is ongoing and more charges are expected as a result.
Those who have been charged in connection with this investigation are being sought on active arrest warrants.
Kane thanked the following agencies for their work on the investigation: the Centre County District Attorney’s Office, the State College Police Department, the Patton Township Police Department, the Ferguson Township Police Department, the Spring Township Police Department, the Bellefonte Police Department and the Penn State University Police Department.
The defendants will be preliminarily arraigned before Centre County Magisterial District Judge Carmine Prestia and will be prosecuted by the Centre County District Attorney’s Office.
The following is a list of individuals charged today, their last known addresses and the charges they face:
- Tyler Garafola, 23, 760 Toftrees Ave., Apt. 326, State College, is charged with five counts of possession with intent to deliver or delivery of a controlled substance, four counts of possession of a controlled substance, three counts of possession of drug paraphernalia and two counts each of criminal conspiracy and criminal use of a communication facility (marijuana and amphetamine).
- Holden Andrus, 26, 77 Creek Rd., Port Royal, is charged with two counts of possession with intent to deliver or delivery of a controlled substance and one count each of possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and criminal use of a communication facility (cocaine).
- Manuel Aguilar-Garibay, 22, 426 S. Allen St., State College, is charged with six counts of possession with intent to deliver or delivery of a controlled substance and three counts each of possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and criminal use of a communication facility (marijuana).
- Michael Houser, 19, 118 Harris Ave., Boalsburg, is charged with three counts of criminal use of a communication facility, two counts each of possession with intent to deliver or delivery of a controlled substance and possession of a controlled substance and one count of unlawful acts (clonidine, tramadol and marijuana).
- Allison Nevel, 23, 100 Maurer Ln., Julian, is charged with two counts of possession with intent to deliver or delivery of a controlled substance and one count each of possession of a controlled substance and criminal use of a communication facility (Vicodin).
- Nathen Davis, 26, last known address 2000 Plaza Dr., Apt. B205, State College, is charged with four counts of possession with intent to deliver or delivery of a controlled substance and two counts each of possession of a controlled substance and criminal use of a communication facility (marijuana).
- Daniel Bianchi, 31, 653 Jackson Ave., State College, is charged with six counts of possession with intent to deliver or delivery of a controlled substance and three counts each of possession of a controlled substance and criminal use of a communication facility (marijuana).
- Matthew Stover, 31, 110 E. Main St., Rear Second Floor, Millheim, is charged with six counts of possession with intent to deliver or delivery of a controlled substance and three counts each of possession of a controlled substance and criminal use of a communication facility (marijuana).
- Cameron Goins, 20, 446 Blue Course Dr., Apt. 702, State College, is charged with six counts of possession with intent to deliver or delivery of a controlled substance and three counts each of possession of a controlled substance and criminal use of a communication facility (marijuana).
- Nathan Beury, 31, 117 Spring Brea Ct., Bellefonte, is charged with two counts of possession with intent to deliver or delivery of a controlled substance and one count of criminal use of a communication facility (marijuana).
- Mick Lee Hockenberry, 20, 123 McClincey Rd., Bellefonte, is charged with one count each of receiving stolen property and possession of a controlled substance (synthetic marijuana).
- Logan Splain, 20, 423 Silverdale Rd., Julian, is charged with two counts of possession with intent to deliver or delivery of a controlled substance and one count each of theft by unlawful taking, possession of a controlled substance and criminal use of a communication facility (counterfeit drug purported to be LSD).
- Tyler Rupert, 25, 405 Governor’s Park, Apt. 22, Bellefonte, is charged with two counts of possession with intent to deliver or delivery of a controlled substance and one count each of criminal conspiracy, possession of a controlled substance and criminal use of a communication facility (LSD).
- Randi Brewer, 20, 427 E. Beaver St., Bellefonte, is charged with two counts of possession with intent to deliver or delivery of a controlled substance and one count each of criminal conspiracy and possession of a controlled substance (marijuana).
- A juvenile, is charged with six counts of possession with intent to deliver or delivery of a controlled substance, three counts each of possession of a controlled substance and criminal use of a communication facility and one count of criminal conspiracy (marijuana and clonazepam).
- Pamela Kuhns, 45, 130 Skyline Ct., East Freedom, is charged with two counts of possession with intent to deliver or delivery of a controlled substance and one count each of possession of a controlled substance and criminal conspiracy (clonazepam).
- Kevin Ortiz, 29, no fixed address, is charged with two counts each of criminal conspiracy and criminal use of a communication facility and one count of possession of a controlled substance (LSD and marijuana).
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 .
