Alleged drug dealer arrested

A suspect is taken into custody by law enforcement officers in front of an apartment building at 2213 Broad Ave. on Wednesday afternoon. Mirror photo by Patrick Waksmunski
Members of the Altoona Police Department arrested Taj Lesane, 36, at his Broad Avenue residence early Wednesday afternoon in connection with an active warrant issued for alleged felony drug possession with intent to distribute.
According to Altoona public information officer Sgt. Patrick Tomassetti, the warrant for Lesane’s arrest, which was issued by Magisterial District Judge Daniel DeAntonio on Sept. 26, 2024, prompted Altoona police to track him to the Broad Avenue apartment across from the Jaffa Shrine Center, eventually arresting Lesane when he exited the residence
Lesane is charged with one felony count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, one felony count of possession with intent to distribute, one third-degree felony count of criminal use of a communication facility and one misdemeanor count of possession of a controlled substance, according to the affidavit of probable cause.
According to the affidavit of probable cause, the Blair County Drug Task Force conducted a controlled drug purchase in coordination with the state Attorney General’s Office on Sept. 26, 2024.
A confidential informant contacted Lesane, who said it would cost $350 to buy an ounce of methamphetamine and instructed him to meet at an East Fourth Avenue residence for the transaction, according to the affidavit.
When the informant arrived at the property, Lesane told him to enter using the back door of the residence, court documents state.
The informant met the Altoona officer at the Drug Task Force office, where they produced a corner baggie of a white, crystalline substance, which the officer determined to be methamphetamine, according to the affidavit.
According to Tomassetti, Lesane has active warrants in Harrisburg, Sandy Township, Clearfield County and Allegheny County.
Mirror Staff Writer Conner Goetz is at 814-946-7535.