Alleged meth ring ‘dismantled’
Federal grand jury indicts individuals from Clearfield, Centre, Clinton and Erie counties
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JOHNSTOWN -- A federal grand jury has indicted 38 people after an 18-month investigation into an alleged methamphetamine ring in Clearfield, Centre, Clinton and Erie counties.
U.S. Attorney Scott Brady announced the indictment Friday and said it "represents the largest drug investigation and prosecution in the history of Clearfield County, and we have successfully dismantled an organization bringing kilo quantities of meth from Atlanta for distribution throughout northcentral PA."
Brady thanked Clearfield District Attorney Ryan P. Sayers for his partnership and leadership in "dismantling drug organizations that would come to Clearfield and poison our friends and neighbors."
Sayers said it was a great day for Clearfield County.
"This is hopefully the first of many operations and partnerships to combat the drugs that are plaguing the country," he said.
The indictment came after an 18-month joint investigation by state police, Drug Enforcement Administration and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosive agents as well as the U.S. Attorney's Office.
The 10-count indictment was returned on May 19 and unsealed Friday.
Charged in the indictment are: John Christopher Bisbee, 40, of Erie; Ronald Bean, 55, of Winburne; Kierston Bell, 32, of Clearfield; Jonathan Bierly, 48, of Loganton; Alexis Brolin Jr., 51, of Allport; Tammy Brolin, 52, of Allport; Toby Lee Coker, 35, an inmate at the State Correctional Institution at Albion; John Cyphert, 59, Centre Hall; Timothy Ferguson, 32, of Philipsburg; Nicole Gaines, 40, Clearfield; Amber Gallaher, 28, of Woodland; Brian Gidney, 46, of Mineral Spring; Davin Gower, 26, of Morrisdale; Mark Hackett, 32, of Woodland; Shane Hoover, 28, of Morrisdale; David Klanish, 49, of Philipsburg; Andrew Knepp, 42, of Clearfield; Michael Lamb, 45, of Morrisdale; Chad Lawhead, 47, of Clearfield; Brittany Luzier, 26, of Clearfield; Logan Mactavish, 37, of Clearfield; Evarie Magee, 36, of Erie; Keegan McChesney, 22, of Osceola Mills; John McKinney, 51, of Hyde; Robert Morgret, 56, of Avis; Jared Nyman, 22, of Lock Haven; Robert Nyman, 58, of Mill Hall; Timothy Perry, 37, of Erie; Jennifer Quick, 46, of Morrisdale; Dennis Rauch, 35, of Clearfield; Joanna Shylock, 32, of Houtzdale; David Richard Smith, 43, of Sandy Ridge; Jeffrey Swanson, 50, of Houtzdale; Jessica Szymecki, 36, of Erie; Cassandra Wallace, 35, of Woodland; Miranda Williams, 46, of Philpsburg; and Shawn Workman, 41, of Brownsville.
Bisbee and Brolin Jr. are charged with one count of participating in a continuing enterprise as principal administrator that involves 1,000 grams or more of methamphetamine or 10 kilograms or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine, from July 2019 to June 2020. The statute calls for a mandatory sentence of life in prison, according to the Department of Justice.
All suspects, except Magee, are charged with conspiring to distribute methamphetamine from July 2019 to June 2020 with a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison if convicted.
Bisbee, Brolin Jr., Bierly and Magee are also charged with money laundering and Brolin Jr. faces a charge of possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.
Rauch is also charged in two counts with unlawful possession of a firearm or ammunition by a convicted felon and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.
Coker and Hackett were both charged with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine in February 2020 and December 2019, respectively, and each face maximum sentences of 30 years in prison if convicted.