Local residents were among 13 individuals indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of narcotics trafficking, firearms violations and money laundering.

Named in the 16-count indictment are Altoona residents Jason Lynn, 37; Tonya Settlemyer, 38; and Andrew Stowwell, 65; Scott Daughenbaugh, 41, of Tyrone; Kurtis Dively, 38, of Claysburg; Joshua Pote, 41, of Roaring Spring; Douglas Hillegass, 61, of Duncansville; Brian Weakland, 65, of Coalport; Danielle Nepa, 48, of Gallitzin; Lesley Wilt, 37, of Glen Richey; and New York residents Juan Duran, 34, of Brooklyn; Miguel Arce, 39, of Brooklyn; and Daniel Paz, 32, of Queens.

According to the indictment, the 13 individuals include leaders, members, drug suppliers and associates of a drug trafficking organization responsible for distributing narcotics throughout western Pennsylvania.

According to the indictment, the defendants conspired to possess with intent to distribute over 50 grams of methamphetamine, 500 grams of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine, and quantities of cocaine and heroin beginning in September 2022 and continuing through September 2023. The indictment alleges individual drug trafficking violations against Stowell, Pote, Lynn and Nepa, as well as a firearms violation against Lynn. Finally, the indictment further alleges that Duran laundered the monetary proceeds of the illegal drug trafficking.

For all defendants except Nepa, the law provides for a minimum sentence of 10 years to life in prison, a fine of not more than $10 million, or both.

For Nepa, the law provides for a term of imprisonment of not more than 20 years, a fine of not more than $500,000, or both.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan D. Lusty is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Drug Enforcement Administration led the multi-agency investigation of this case, which also included the U.S. Postal Service – Office of Inspector General, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Homeland Security Investigations, Internal Revenue Service, Pittsburgh Bureau of Police and Pennsylvania state police.