District Attorney Richard Consiglio announced yesterday that the Blair County Drug Task Force, consisting of members of the Altoona Police Department, Tyrone Police Department, the PA Office of the Attorney General and Detectives from the Blair County District Attorney’s Detective Division conducted a series of operations within the city of Altoona resulting in numerous drug arrests.
As a result, nine individuals were taken into custody. One of the individuals was a juvenile, who was charged with conspiracy and theft relating to a drug incident.
The following adults were also arrested:
• Pamela Deeters, 1467 Blair Avenue, Tyrone – one count criminal solicitation, one count conspiracy and one count theft (DTF funds) – charges via summons;
• Juvenile – one count conspiracy, one count theft – charges via juvenile allegation;
• Joseph Whitehead, Blair County Prison – two counts criminal use of a communication facility; four counts delivery; four counts possession, three counts criminal conspiracy – in Blair County Prison on $62,500 straight cash bail;
• Richard Lytle, SCI Camp Hill – one count criminal use of communication facility, one county delivery, one count possession – yet to be arraigned;
• Theresa Elliot, 1109 6th Avenue, Altoona – four counts criminal conspiracy, three counts criminal use of communication facility, five counts delivery, five counts possession – $50,000 unsecured;
• John Elliot Sr., 1109 6th Avenue, Altoona – four counts criminal conspiracy, three counts criminal use of a communication facility, five counts delivery, five counts possession – $50,000 unsecured;
• Craig Burns, RD3 Box 495 Altoona – one count criminal conspiracy, one count criminal use of a communication facility, one count delivery, one count possession – in Blair County Prison on $10,000 straight cash bail;
• Dianna Walter, 329 3rd Avenue, Altoona – one count criminal conspiracy, one count delivery, one count possession – in Blair County Prison on $7,500 straight cash bail and
• Curtis Gates, Blair County Prison – one count criminal use of communication facility, one count delivery, one count possession – in Blair County Prison on $10,000 straight cash bail.
According to the district attorney’s press release, officers made several purchases of crack cocaine and heroin from the defendants, and these defendants are considered street level dealers. This was a seven-month investigation. The defendants, with one exception are local residents. One of the defendants, Joseph Whitehead, has resided in Blair County for sometime, but it is believed that he arrived here from Philadelphia.
Several of the defendants have provided out of town drug dealers with a base of operation within Blair County.
These individuals were arraigned before Magistrates Auker and Moran.
This operation was facilitated through funds provided by Operation Our Town.
