HARRISBURG – Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen G. Kane’s office announced Thursday that criminal charges have been filed against 27 individuals accused of distributing or possessing illegal drugs in Clearfield County.
Those charged were being sought Thursday during a collaborative sweep conducted by the Office of Attorney General, the Clearfield County Drug Task Force and other law enforcement partners.
The charges resulted from an investigation that focused on street- to mid-level trafficking, importation and distribution of large quantities of methamphetamine. Investigators identified those charged as active participants in this operation.
A statewide investigating grand jury also reviewed evidence and heard testimony relating to this investigation.
Agents from the Attorney General’s Bureau of Narcotics Investigation partnered with investigators from the Clearfield County Drug Task Force on the joint investigation. Law enforcement officials used various tools, including surveillance techniques and undercover purchases, as they worked to file charges.
Over the course of the investigation, investigators made a series of controlled purchases utilizing confidential informants and undercover officers/agents.
Investigators purchased and seized a total of one pound of methamphetamine valued at about $90,736; and one and a half ounces of heroin valued at about $8,400. Additionally, investigators seized $27,867 in cash, seven weapons and one vehicle.
The investigation is ongoing and more arrests are expected.
All defendants will be preliminarily arraigned before Clearfield County district judge Patrick Ford and will be prosecuted by senior deputy attorney general David Gorman and by the office of Clearfield County district attorney William Shaw.
Two of the defendants charged in the case live in Brookville. They are Lacey Dean, 34, of 113 Main St., Apt. C; and Chapel Peace, 33, of 176 Alaska Road.
Charges against Dean include one count each of possession with intent to deliver or delivery of a controlled substance, dealing in proceeds of unlawful activities and criminal conspiracy (methamphetamine). Peace is charged with one count each of possession with intent to deliver or delivery of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine).
Fifteen of the defendants are listed as having DuBois addresses, and addresses for six others include Brockway, Sykesville, Falls Creek or Curwensville.
Three others are presently in jail, and another defendant has a Kentucky address.
