Published: April 24, 2009 03:02 pm      

40 suspects arrested in Johnstown-area drug sweep

The ongoing crackdown on drugs across Cambria County has netted 40 more suspects, including several who police believe are high-level dealers.

A drug sweep carried out by several agencies netted an estimated $40,000 worth of drugs and $10,000 in cash, District Attorney Patrick Kiniry said at a news conference Thursday at the county courthouse in Ebensburg.

The arrests cap a yearlong investigation by the county drug task force, Johnstown and Richland Township police and the FBI.

It comes on the heels of a drug sweep earlier this month in the Portage area, where 23 suspects were charged.

“At that time, we said they were receiving their drugs from somebody in Pittsburgh,” Kiniry said. “We now identified that person.”

The alleged dealer, Rashad Reid, is being held on a detainer in Allegheny County, Kiniry said.

The latest roundup netted suspects from the Greater Johnstown area, including several alleged to be high-level dealers. Among those were Josh “Roach” Shenego, 23, accused of selling crack cocaine in the city’s West End, and Meade Batzel, 23, of Windber, charged with selling methamphetamine in the Richland and Windber areas.

“This is significant because we know methamphetamine is on the rise in Pennsylvania,” Kiniry said. “I’ve made it a high priority.”

Kiniry was flanked by Johnstown police Chief Craig Foust and state police Sgt. Greg Keefer, station commander of the Ebensburg barracks.

The suspects picked up Thursday were arraigned by several district judges.

Eleven of the suspects were arraigned by District Judge John Barron of Upper Yoder Township.

Patricia Jean Smith, 39, of Johnstown, fought back tears after her arraignment. She is accused of selling $100 in crack cocaine to an undercover officer.

“Mom, I’m going to jail,” Smith sobbed into a telephone. “I’m sorry, Mom. Please, I’m sorry, Mom.”

The fight against illegal drugs is far from over, Kiniry said.

“Other dealers will move in,” he said. “It’s a constant fight because there’s such a demand in our area.”



Suspects



A drug sweep Thursday netted 40 suspects. All are from Johnstown unless otherwise noted. They are:

Meade Batzel, 23, 500 block of First Street, Windber.

Teronda Baxter, 33, 600 block of Fronheiser Street.

Jessica Bowers, 23, Messenger Street.

Roberts Brookins, 35, Jacoby Street.

Jean Carey, 45, 300 block of Sixth Street.

Delfon Chatman, 34, 800 block of Von Lunen Road.

Sonja Cook, 31, Oakhurst Homes.

Douglas Davis, 25, 900 block of Nathaniel Street.

Abe Denhe, 31, Stackhouse Road.

Clinton Dudley, 22, 600 block of Bedford Street.

Lester Dudley, 34, 200 block of David Street.

Alan Elbertson, 31, 100 block of North White Drive.

Michael Garland, 30, 1200 block of Franklin Street.

Melissa Garshnick, 24, Prospect Street.

Thomas Giardina, 57, 1600 block of Solomon Run Road.

Brandon Harr, 23, 300 block of Glesner Road, Johnstown

Derrick Hemphill, 33, 200 block of Vine Street.

Vicki Hester, 38, 400 block of Cooper Avenue.

Robert Ketner, 37, 1100 block of Fifth Street.

Lawrence McClean, 42, 500 block of Vickroy Avenue.

Alicia Meekins, 29, 200 block of Davis Street.

James Miller, 20, 300 block of William Penn Avenue.

Chris Moffitt, 47, West North Street, Bethlehem.

Greg Muffie, 33, 1000 block of William Penn Avenue.

Robert Mundorff, 47, 400 block of Franklin Street.

Lori Noon, 24, Oakhurst Homes.

Sandra Palmer, 35, 200 block of Ivy Street.

Rashad Reid, 21, 2000 block of Fawcett Avenue, White Oak, Allegheny County.

Andre Riggins, 39, Oakhurst Homes.

Daniel Riley, 31, 100 block of Arthur Street.

Jermaine Rozier, 24, 700 block of Sherman Street.

Matt Sellers, 39, 500 block of Vickroy Avenue.

Josh Shenego, 23, 300 block of Beatrice Avenue.

Kerri Shonsky, 34, 300 block of Second Street, Conemaugh.

Patricia Smith, 39, 400 block of Lincoln Street.

Stephanie Stayrook, 20,

200 block of Langhorne Avenue.

Josh Swalligan, 29, 600 block of Ferndale Avenue.

Alvin Wagner, 35, 100 block of Fairfield Avenue.

Crystal Wagner, 20, 600 block of Chestnut Street.

Shawna Wingard, 31, 200 block of Lincoln Street.