Metro

A statewide grand jury investigation recommended criminal charges against seven members of an alleged Altoona drug ring whose actions resulted in the overdose death of a Blair County woman in November 2022, according to court documents.

Ricky Sharif Joyner-Bennett, 44, Tareek Alquan Hemingway, 32, Cecylia Antoinette Thompson, 32, Matthew Lewis Rodriguez, 39, Kirsten Lindsay Wright, 35, all of Altoona, Laura Rutherford Horne, 27, Hollidaysburg, and Milton Williams are named in Presentment No. 20, which includes a summary of the 51st Statewide Investigating Grand Jury’s investigation.

Its subsequent report was approved by Supervising Judge Bruce Beemer on April 23.

The report details purchases of fentanyl and cocaine by confidential informants, as well as witness interviews and testimony from four customers who purchased drugs from the group over a period of several years.

In one case, a customer reported purchasing $50,000 worth of cocaine from Horne over more than a year. Another customer said she spent $31,000 on cocaine from August 2023 to July 2024.

Witness interviews state various members of the group or their associates would make regular trips to Baltimore to buy large quantities of drugs, primarily cocaine, to sell in the Blair County area.

The drug trafficking investigation began after Altoona police received a call in November 2022 for a suspected drug overdose.

Once on scene, they found a woman who had died of a multi-drug overdose that included fentanyl and cocaine. Police searched the area and found half of a blue pill and a white powder, which were later tested and confirmed to be fentanyl and cocaine, according to the report.

During the death investigation, police learned a female had delivered drugs to the victim earlier that evening. This female told the grand jury she sourced the drugs from Joyner-Bennett, and that Joyner-Bennett had represented the blue pill as a form of oxycodone.

The forensic pathologist determined the concentration of fentanyl in the victim’s body was sufficient to have caused her death. He said fentanyl is 50 times more potent than heroin and 60 times more potent than oxycodone. He also indicated it isn’t surprising that an overdose occurs when an individual ingests what they believe to be oxycodone tablets, but in reality contains fentanyl.

Police and the pathologist noted the victim lacked “track marks,” meaning she was not an intravenous drug user.

While the grand jury presentment indicates that Joyner-Bennett was a major drug dealer in the area, online court documents show charges against Joyner-Bennett were withdrawn on June 26.

In the presentment, Joyner-Bennett was indicted with recommended charges including possession of a controlled substance, criminal conspiracy, criminal use of a communications facility, dealing in proceeds from an illegal activity, corrupt organizations and third-

degree murder stemming from the November 2022 overdose death.

It is unknown why the charges against Joyner-Bennett were withdrawn and if they will be refiled.

Hemingway has been charged with felony counts of corrupt organizations, possession of firearms, conspiracy of possession with intent, possession with intent and criminal use of a communications facility, according to the affidavit of probable cause.

Hemingway was arraigned Sunday before Magisterial District Judge Benjamin F. Jones. He was denied bail due to “substantial risk of community safety,” the docket sheet states.

His preliminary hearing is set for July 9 before Jones.

Horne was arraigned before Jones on Tuesday. She faces 24 felony charges, 19 counts of possession with intent to deliver, dealing in proceeds of unlawful activities, corrupt organizations and more.

She posted 10% of $150,000 and was released from custody, according to court documents. Her preliminary hearing is set for Aug. 13 before Jones.

Thompson was arraigned Tuesday before Jones on 12 felony counts of conspiracy – possession with intent to deliver, corrupt organizations, possession with intent to deliver and related charges. She remains in the Blair County Prison, unable to post 10% of $150,000 bail.

Her preliminary hearing is set for July 9 before Jones.

Rodriguez was arraigned Friday before Jones on 16 felony counts, including corrupt organizations, possession with intent to deliver, dealing in unlawful proceeds, conspiracy possession with intent to deliver.

Rodriguez was remanded to the Blair County Prison in lieu of $500,000 bail.

His preliminary hearing is set for July 9.

Wright was arraigned Monday before Jones on felony charges of corrupt organizations, possession with intent to deliver, criminal use of a communication facility and conspiracy.

She was remanded to the Blair County Prison, unable to post $500,000 bail. Her preliminary hearing is set for July 9 before Jones.

Charges have yet to be filed against Williams, according to online court documents, although the presentment indicted him for possession of a controlled substance, conspiracy to commit possession, criminal use of a communications facility, dealing in unlawful proceeds and corrupt organizations.

The investigation was conducted jointly by the Altoona Police Department, Blair County Drug Task Force, Pennsylvania State Police and the state Office of the Attorney General, using a series of confidential informants, collected evidence, witness interviews and physical and digital property searches to determine recommended charges.

Mirror Staff Writer Conner Goetz is at 814-946-7535.