Altoona police warrant sweep nets 29
Nine-month Altoona police investigation results in arrests
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A police warrant sweep on Thursday resulted in 29 individuals being arrested. According to Altoona police, law enforcement were targeting 44 people after a 9-month investigation into illicit drug activity.
Arrested during the sweep were Altoona residents: Kristopher Albright, 36; Jory Woolridge, 52; Shane Trauger, 39; Tone Hancock, 38; Effieann Potts, 32; Charles Strohmeyer, 57; Lance Shaneyfelt, 34; Tyler Knepp, 36; Amy Burke, 57; Todd Finochio, 53; Paula Perini, 56; Donna Ryan, 61; Marco Martin, 37; Kenneth Roberson, 70; Christina Hall, 36; Danelle Garland, 47; Phillip Dunn, 60; Carlton Estes, 60; Edward Marks, 47; Brent Meyers, 41; Keith Harris, 32; Christina Stein, 38; and Christopher Sensabaugh, 30.
Also arrested were Hollidaysburg residents Jacob Culp, 32, and Joshua Krider, 49; Michael Riggleman, 56, of Tyrone; Patti Miller, 60, of New Paris; Ashley Growden, 40, Everett; and Benjamin Locke, 32, of Philadelphia.
All were arraigned by Magisterial District Justice Kevin Stoltz and will be prosecuted by the Blair County District Attorney's Office. All individuals who were incarcerated are currently being held at the Blair County Prison.
During the investigation, officers from Altoona and Tyrone police departments, along with the Blair County Drug Task Force, state police and the state Office of Attorney General, conducted multiple controlled purchases of narcotics, using confidential informants and undercover officers to purchase heroin/fentanyl, crystal methamphetamine, crack cocaine and cocaine, along with other controlled substances.
Officers worked together to identify sources of controlled substances being transported from source cities identified mainly as Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, according to the report.
While officers were executing the arrest warrants, two search warrants were also executed; one at 820 Third Ave., Altoona, where officers located drug paraphernalia.
The second search warrant was executed at Kenneth Roberson's residence, 2707 Sixth Ave., Altoona. A search of the residence turned up a .22 caliber Savage Rifle. Roberson will be charged at a later date for a person not to possess a firearm.
Officers are currently holding active felony arrest warrants for the following Altoona residents: Tina Hennessey, 51; Ronald Kenney, 47; James Stiffler, 52; Shawn Perry, 43; Calvin Carson, 38; Jerry Brown, 52; Robert Hecker, 46; Emonee Peterson, 30; Brian Donoughe, 42; Frank Minielli, 37; and Matthew Lantz, 36. Others wanted on active felony arrest warrants are: Anna Strayer, 44, of Osterburg; Brittany Miller, 29, of Tyrone; Jennifer Sell, 46, of Phillipsburg; and Ajee Chriswell-Booker, age unknown, of Philadelphia.
Assisting with the investigation were the Allegheny Township, Logan Township, Bellwood, Huntingdon Borough, North Woodbury and Williamsburg police departments, along with the Blair County Sheriff's department, Blair County Parole and Probation and the Blair County Prison.