Trinity pleads guilty in drug case | News, Sports, Work

A Duncansville man was one of three men who recently pleaded guilty to drug-trafficking charges in Blair, Cambria, Center and Clearfield counties.

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

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

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

Others named in the 16-count indictment are: Altoona residents Jason Lynn, 37; Tonya Settlemeier, 38; and Andrew Stowell, 65; Scott Dogenbaugh, 41, of Tyrone; Curtis Diveley, 38, of Claysburg; Joshua Pote, 41, of Roaring Spring; Brian Wickland, 65, of Colport; Daniel Nepa, 48, of Gallicin; Leslie Wilt, 37, of Glen Ritchie; and Juan Duran, 34, of Brooklyn, New York

According to the indictment, the 13 individuals include leaders, members, drug suppliers and associates of a drug trafficking organization responsible for distributing drugs throughout western Pennsylvania.

According to the indictment, the defendants conspired to possess with intent to distribute more than 50 grams of methamphetamine, 500 grams of a mixture and substance containing a specified amount of methamphetamine, and a specified amount of cocaine and heroin, beginning in September 2022 and continuing through September 2023. The indictment alleges that Stowell, Pote, Lynn and Nepa each committed individual drug trafficking violations, as well as a firearms violation against Lynn. Finally, the indictment also alleges that Duran laundered money obtained from the illegal drug trade.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was informed that Hillegass was a methamphetamine dealer who received about 6 ounces of methamphetamine from Lynn, a major drug dealer. Gillegas then redistributed the meth to others.

Sentencing is scheduled for February 26, 2025.

Arce and Paz were couriers transporting narcotics from the New York area to Altoona on behalf of Duran, a major drug supplier, according to the news release.

In total, Arce transported more than 10 pounds of methamphetamine, while Paz transported approximately seven pounds of methamphetamine.

Both Arce and Paz also moved large sums of money from Lynn to Duran, representing payments for methamphetamine.

Paz is scheduled to be sentenced on January 9, 2025, while Arce is scheduled for February 11, 2025.

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

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan D. Lusty is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government.

The Drug Enforcement Administration led an interagency investigation into the case, which also included the US Postal Service – Office of Inspector General, the US Postal Inspection Service, Homeland Security Investigations, the Internal Revenue Service, the Pittsburgh Police Bureau and the Pennsylvania State Police.