Attorney General Kathleen G. Kane announced today that a collaborative investigation into street-level dealers and their suppliers has led to charges against 18 suspects for dealing drugs in Altoona and surrounding municipalities in Blair County.
The arrests made today were the result of investigations by officers and agents of the Blair County Drug Task Force, including the Attorney General’s Bureau of Narcotics Investigations and the Blair County District Attorney’s Office.
The investigation consisted of controlled purchases made by undercover officers and agents, and by utilizing confidential informants.
The majority of controlled purchases took place in Altoona and surrounding municipalities, occurred from May 2014 to present and focused on heroin and prescription medications in Blair County.
The investigation into street- and mid-level heroin trafficking and the diversion of prescription drugs in Blair County and the region will continue and more arrests are anticipated.
Attorney General Kane thanked Blair County District Attorney Richard A. Consiglio, Blair County Sheriff’s Department, Pennsylvania State Police, Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole, Blair County Probation and Parole, Blair County Prison and members of local law enforcement for their assistance.
The cases will be prosecuted by the office of Blair County District Attorney Richard A. Consiglio.
The operation was made possible with the assistance of Operation Our Town. Anyone with information about local drug trafficking should contact the Operation Our Town “Push Out the Pusher” Hot Line at 814-693-3020
The Office of Attorney General recently unveiled a new initiative to fight the scourge of illegal drugs in communities across the Commonwealth. 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 can also be submitted electronically here.
Below is a complete list of the defendants and the charges against them.
— Levar Riley, 35, 206 E. Ogden St., Girardville, Schuylkill County, is charged with two counts of conspiracy to deliver heroin, five counts of delivery of heroin, four counts of criminal use of a communication facility, and five counts of possession of heroin.
— Christopher Thomas Alley, 20, 1901 5th Ave., Altoona, Blair County, is charged with one count of delivery of marijuana, one count of possession of marijuana, and one count of criminal use of a communications facility.
— Jorge Morales, 34, 638 Peach View Lane, Duncansville, Blair County, is charged with one count of delivery of Suboxone, one count of possession of Suboxone, and one count of criminal use of a communications facility.
— Jeremiah Robertson, 18, 1406 20th Ave., Altoona, Blair County is charged with one count of delivery of heroin, one count of possession of heroin, and one count of criminal use of a communications facility.
— Sidney Jalene Fink, 23, 307 Clayton St., Tyrone, Blair County, is charged with one count of delivery of heroin, one count of possession of heroin, and one count of criminal use of a communications facility.
— Lane Garrett Burk, 23, 1368 Mill Run Road, Altoona, Blair County, is charged with one count of delivery of heroin, one count of possession of heroin, and one count of criminal use of a communications facility.
— Danielle Dipippo, 19, 1927 4th Ave., Altoona, Blair County, is charged with one count of delivery of heroin, one count of possession of heroin, and one count of criminal use of a communications facility.
— Cody Lynn Oblinger, 20, 8 Crickett Club Lane, Altoona, Blair County, is charged with two counts of delivery of heroin and cocaine, two counts of possession of heroin and cocaine, and one count of criminal use of a communications facility.
— Breonna Chantel Martino, 18, 305 60th St., Altoona, Blair County, is charged with two counts of delivery of heroin and marijuana, two counts of possession of heroin and marijuana, and one count of criminal use of a communications facility.
— Natasha Tyria Emerson, 21, 1012 3rd Ave., Atloona, Blair County, is charged with one count of delivery of cocaine, one count of possession of cocaine, and one count of criminal use of a communications facility.
— John Blocken, 29, 1211 28th Ave., Altoona, Blair County, is charged with one count of delivery of heroin, one count of possession of heroin, and one count of conspiracy to deliver heroin.
— Travis Denny, 28, 907 Rosehill Drive, Altoona, Blair County, is charged with two counts of delivery of heroin, two counts of possession of heroin, two counts of conspiracy to deliver heroin, and one count of criminal use of a communications facility.
— Michael Beck, 24, 1204 14th Ave., Altoona, Blair County, is charged with three counts of delivery of heroin, three counts of possession of heroin, one count of conspiracy to deliver heroin, and three counts of criminal use of a communications facility.
— Robert Loner, 26, 1229 17th Ave., Altoona, Blair County, is charged with three counts of delivery of heroin, three counts of possession of heroin, one count of conspiracy to deliver heroin, and three counts of criminal use of a communications facility.
— Renee Caldwell, 21, 215 E. Maple Ave., Altoona, Blair County, is charged with two counts of delivery of heroin, two counts of possession of heroin and two counts of criminal use of a communications facility.
— Michael Forshey, 33, 112 Jones St., Hollidaysburg, Blair County, is charged with three counts of delivery of bath salts, three counts of possession of bath salts and three counts of criminal use of a communications facility.
— Robert Winrick Jr., 24, 1304 Rosehill Drive Extension, Altoona, Blair County, is charged with two counts of delivery of heroin, two counts of possession of heroin and two counts of criminal use of a communications facility.
— Michelle Turiano (Walk), 41, Unknown Address, is charged with two counts of delivery of methadone, two counts of possession of methadone and two counts of criminal use of a communications facility.