District Magistrate Fred Miller arraigned a 26-year-old Altoona man yesterday on charges that he sold crack cocaine to confidential police informants on three separate occasions in Tyrone in April.
Zacchaeus Jeremiah Haynes, of 1905 19th Street, is charged in nine separate cases, including three that occurred at a residence in Tyrone. All told, he is charged with eight counts of felony delivery of a controlled substance, six counts of possession of a controlled substance, six counts of criminal use of a communication facility and one count of criminal conspiracy.
He was lodged in the Blair County Prison in lieu of $370,000 straight bail. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for July 22 at Magistrate Miller’s office.
According to Chief County Detective, James R. Myers, of the Blair County District Attorney’s office, Haynes was an “organized dealer” who was bringing in “loads” of rock and powdered cocaine from Harrisburg and distributing the narcotic throughout Blair County, including the Tyrone area.
“This arrest is a perfect example of how well the local organizations work together to rid county streets of crime,” said Myers. “The Tyrone Borough Police, Altoona Police, Pennsylvania State Police and District Attorney’s office have been investigating this case for four months, and we’re now happy to say that we stopped at least some of the narcotics being distributed in Blair County.”
According to an affidavit of probable cause, Haynes sold a confidential police informant two “50” rocks of crack cocaine for $100 on April 23 at a home in Tyrone. Police said the very next day, Haynes made another sale, this time a single “50” rock of crack cocaine to an informant for $50. Also, on April 26, police said Haynes sold a “50” rock of crack cocaine to an informant for $50 at a Tyrone address.
“This guy was not just a street level dealer,” said Myers. “He wasn’t an addict. He was in it for the money. While we were watching him, he sometimes made eight or nine runs to sell the drug in a matter of an hour.
“He was selling a lot of drugs here in Blair County. It’s a significant arrest.”
In addition, Sgt. J. McTigue Jr. of the Altoona Police Department arrested Haynes on charges that he either sold crack cocaine to confidential police informants or conspired to sell narcotics to undercover officers.
According to one affidavit, McTique claims Haynes was stopped while operating an automobile at the intersection of Seventh Avenue and Sixth Street in Altoona on June 4. Police said he refused to cooperate with police and was transported to Altoona Hospital because police believed he swallowed illegal substances.
A search of his person revealed a bottle containing 25 blue tablets, which authorities believe were ecstasy pills. Inside his rectum, emergency room doctors found a plastic baggie that contained what proved to be crack cocaine.
Myers said that although the arrest was made, more could come.
“This investigation is not over,” said Myers. “We’re still investigating and there could be more arrests. More charges could be filed against Mr. Haynes and other charges could be filed against others.”
Myers said the district attorney’s office is happy about the arrest because it not only took a drug dealer off the streets, but removed a dangerous man from society.
“This man had a prior, violent record,” said Myers. “It shows that violent people are now coming into our community and pushing their drugs. We’re doing what we can to get these people off the streets and this is a significant step in doing that.”
