A Duncansville man was among three men who pleaded guilty recently to charges in a drug trafficking ring in and around Blair, Cambria, Centre and Clearfield counties.

Douglas Hillegass, 62, pleaded guilty in federal court to one count of narcotics trafficking related to a six-month Title III wiretap investigation into area drug trafficking, according to a Department of Justice news release.

Also before United States District Judge Stephanie L. Haines, Miguel Arce, 40, of Brooklyn, N.Y., and Timothy Paz, 32, of Queens, N.Y., each pleaded guilty to one count of narcotics trafficking.

The three men were among 13 people indicted late last year by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of narcotics trafficking, firearms violations and money laundering.

Others 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; Brian Weakland, 65, of Coalport; Danielle Nepa, 48, of Gallitzin; Lesley Wilt, 37, of Glen Richey; and Juan Duran, 34, of Brooklyn, N.Y.

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.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that Hillegass was a methamphetamine distributor who obtained about 6 ounces of meth from Lynn, a large-scale narcotics distributor. Hillegass then redistributed the meth to others.

His sentencing is set for Feb. 26, 2025.

Arce and Paz were both couriers who transported narcotics from the New York City area to Altoona on behalf of Duran, a large-scale narcotics supplier, the news release states.

In total, Arce transported over 10 pounds of methamphetamine and Paz transported approximately seven pounds of methamphetamine.

Both Arce and Paz also transported large amounts of money from Lynn to Duran, which represented payment for the methamphetamine.

Sentencing for Paz is set for Jan. 9, 2025, while sentencing for Arce is set for Feb. 11, 2025.

The other 10 charged in the case are awaiting trial, according to online court documents.

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.