In a significant crackdown on drug trafficking, numerous residents from Centre, Clearfield, Clinton, and Erie counties were arrested on Tuesday afternoon for violating federal drug laws, money laundering, and illegal possession of firearms. This follows an 18-month-long investigation that traced the movement of multiple kilos of methamphetamine from Atlanta to Central Pennsylvania.
U.S. Attorney Brady highlighted the severity of the threat posed by methamphetamine to communities in western Pennsylvania. According to Brady, this indictment is the largest drug investigation and prosecution in Clearfield County’s history. “We have successfully dismantled an organization responsible for bringing kilo quantities of meth from Atlanta for distribution throughout northcentral PA,” Brady stated. He also commended DA Sayers for his role in disrupting drug trafficking networks that jeopardize local communities.
The ten-count indictment, which was returned on May 19 and unsealed recently, involves charges against a total of 39 individuals:
- John Christopher Bisbee, 40, Erie, PA
- Ronald Bean, 55, Winburne, PA
- Kierston Bell, 32, Clearfield, PA
- Jonathan Bierly, 48, Loganton, PA
- Alexis Brolin, Jr., 51, Allport, PA
- Tammie Brolin, 52, Allport, PA
- Toby Lee Coker, 35, SCI Albion
- John Cyphert, 59, Centre Hall, PA
- Timothy Ferguson, 32, Philipsburg, PA
- Nicole Gaines, 40, Clearfield, PA
- Amber Gallaher, 28, Woodland, PA
- Brian Gidney, 46, Mineral Spring, PA
- Davin Gower, 26, Morrisdale, PA
- Mark Hackett, 32, Woodland, PA
- Shane Hoover, 28, Morrisdale, PA
- David Klanish, 49, Philipsburg, PA
- Andrew Knepp, 42, Clearfield, PA
- Michael Lamb, 45, Morrisdale, PA
- Chad Lawhead, 47, Clearfield, PA
- Brittany Luzier, 26, Clearfield, PA
- Logan Mactavish, 37, Clearfield, PA
- Evarie Magee, 36, Erie, PA
- Keegan McChesney, 22, Osceola Mills, PA
- John McKinney, 51, Hyde, PA
- Robert Morgret, 56, Avis, PA
- Jared Nyman, 22, Lock Haven, PA
- Robert Nyman, 58, Mill Hall, PA
- Timothy Perry, 37, Erie, PA
- Jennifer Quick, 46, Morrisdale, PA
- Joshua Quigley, 41, PA
- Dennis James Rauch, 35, PA
- Joanna Shylock, 32, Houtzdale, PA
- David Richard Smith, 43, Sandy Ridge, PA
- Jeffrey Swanson, 50, Houtzdale, PA
- Jessica Szymecki, 36, Erie, PA
- Cassandra Wallace, 35, Woodland, PA
- Miranda Williams, 46, Philipsburg, PA
- Shawn Workman, 41, Brownsville, PA
The charges range from participation in a continuing criminal enterprise, conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and unlawful possession of firearms. Key figures such as John Christopher Bisbee and Alexis Brolin, Jr. face mandatory life sentences if convicted. Other charges could lead to significant prison terms, with potential penalties up to 30 years.
