An Altoona man was one of more than two dozen individuals indicted on federal drug and firearms charges in Erie on Thursday, according to a release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Western District of Pennsylvania.

John Allen Lauver, 46, was charged with conspiracy possession with intent to deliver 50 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine and possession with intent to deliver and delivery of 50 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine. If convicted on these charges, Lauver could face up to life imprisonment and 40 years to life imprisonment, respectively.

The charges were brought against Lauver and the 25 other majority-Erie-resident defendants following an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation that led to nine separate but related indictments for violations of federal narcotics and firearms laws, the release stated.

The indictments charge an overlapping network of regional drug traffickers based in Erie with peddling large amounts of fentanyl powder and pills, methamphetamine and cocaine. Several firearms were also seized from the traffickers, who were either prohibited from possessing firearms or possessed firearms in furtherance of their drug trafficking activities. Among those firearms were multiple Glock conversion devices that are commonly referred to as “Glock switches,” which are designed to convert a semi automatic Glock pistol into an automatic machine gun, according to the release.

“Today’s charges against 26 defendants reinforce a core message: if you peddle deadly drugs in the Western District of Pennsylvania, you should expect a visit from law enforcement,” U.S. Attorney Eric G. Olshan said. “Our office and our law enforcement partners will not sit idly by and allow drug traffickers and those who carry devices capable of turning semi automatic firearms into fully automatic weapons to operate with impunity. Simply put, we are unrelenting in our resolve to keep ordinary citizens safe and secure in their own homes and neighborhoods.”

The indictments include an 11-count indictment charging 14 defendants with obtaining and redistributing fentanyl and methamphetamine in and around Erie County and other areas of the Western District of Pennsylvania; a two-count indictment charging four defendants with conspiring to deliver and possession with intent to deliver varying quantities of fentanyl and methamphetamine; a one-count indictment charging two defendants with conspiring to deliver and possession with intent to deliver a quantity of a mixture and substance containing cocaine and six additional one-defendant indictments charging one to three offenses involving drugs, firearms or both.

“The message to those who think they can continue trafficking cartel poison in our communities at will is the FBI and our partners with the EAGLE Safe Streets Task Force will not stop until we break the cycle of drug violence,” said Kevin Rojek, FBI Pittsburgh special agent in charge. “Your operations will be dismantled, your drug-fueled profits will be seized, and you will be brought to justice. This marks the third large-scale operation in the Erie area in the last three years. The FBI’s resolve, and that of our partners, in combating drugs on our streets will not change.”

Assistant United States Attorneys Molly Anglin and Paul Sellers are prosecuting these cases on behalf of the government.