HOLLIDAYSBURG — A Blair County judge denied a bail modification request Tuesday made by a city man linked to a drug investigation that led to the arrest of seven other individuals in late October.

Judge Jackie Atherton Bernard denied the motion presented by defense attorney John Siford to lower Joshua David Anspach’s bail from the set $300,000. Unable to pay, Anspach has been held at the Blair County Prison since his arrest on Oct. 24.

Anspach faces four felony counts of possession with intent to deliver and single misdemeanor counts of possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

In making the request, Anspach told Bernard that he was his elderly grandmother’s primary caregiver and power of attorney. He said his grandmother was in poor health and that he helped her with groceries, medication and other everyday needs, while Blair Senior Services came by at least three times a week.

Assistant District Attorney Derek Elensky asked Anspach if he was currently awaiting sentencing on a felony count of conspiracy to commit possession with intent to deliver, to which Anspach said yes. He also admitted to being free on bail for that case when he was arrested in this case.

Elensky told Bernard he had “a very serious concern for public safety” as the residence Anspach was arrested at was being looked into following multiple overdoses. He said Anspach was found inside the residence near the controlled substances, which included five grams of fentanyl.

When Siford brought up Anspach’s caregiving role with his grandmother, Bernard said she wanted to present a different scenario.

Bernard said she received an unsigned letter expressing “great concern” for the safety of Anspach’s grandmother and that she suspected Anspach’s caregiving role was not as great as he wanted it to appear.

“Everything you said regarding your grandmother lacks credibility,” Bernard said.

Anspach told Bernard he was aware of the letter, knew who sent it, that Blair Senior Services had signed off on the home as being safe and that there was no open case with Adult Protective Services regarding his grandmother.

Siford asked for the letter to be “taken with a grain of salt” and for Anspach’s bail to be reduced.

“I don’t think the Commonwealth’s case is as strong as they think it is,” Siford said.

Bernard ultimately denied the request “in light of the evidence” and Anspach’s “role in the criminal complaint.” She said that, while she knew Anspach’s bail was high, it wouldn’t be modified.

Anspach’s next court appearance is scheduled for Jan. 15.

His charges in this case stem from an investigation into a drug overdose at 2026 Fifth Ave. on Oct. 24.

Jordan Woolridge, 23, was found on the porch, was responsive and denied symptoms of an overdose, police reported.

Another male then exited the apartment, stating he was going home. After talking with police, he was allowed to leave.

Police were again dispatched to a residence on the 600 block of Fifth Avenue about 12:33 p.m. for another suspected overdose. The caller said the person was unconscious and had been given five doses of Narcan. On scene, police learned the victim was the man who left the apartment earlier. Police were also told and shown messages that indicated the victims purchased heroin from someone at the Fifth Avenue apartment.

A search warrant was then obtained and executed on the residence, which resulted in the arrest of Woolridge, Holly Bennett, 35, Nicole Lonergan, 38, Melissa Vonarx, 42, and Anspach. At that time, Nicholas Yohrling, 38, William Hampton, 46, and Anna Knipple, 33, attempted to flee out the rear door.

Police seized a large amount of paraphernalia, cellphones, about 5 grams of fentanyl, 34 packets of heroin/fentanyl with various stamps, about 20 grams of methamphetamine and eight suboxone strips from inside the residence, for which the eight individuals were all charged, according to court documents.

Mirror Staff Writer Rachel Foor-Musselman is at 814-946-7458.