BEDFORD, Pa. — Twenty suspected drug dealers were arrested in Bedford County in early morning drug raids conducted throughout the county Tuesday, according to District Attorney Bill Higgins.
The arrests were made by the Bedford County Drug Task Force and Pennsylvania State Police as part of “Operation Scarecrow,” which Higgins said “culminates an eight-month drug task force investigation into local drug trafficking operations that began upon the conclusion of Operation Cupid’s Arrow where 15 drug dealers were apprehended in February of this year.”
The defendants were charged with dealing various drugs, including heroin, marijuana and prescription pills.
“We even have a few who were selling counterfeit controlled substance, ripping off their own customers,” said Higgins.
The defendants ranged from 18 to 50 years old. They were being arraigned throughout the morning at the Office of Magisterial District Judge Kathy Calhoun.
Higgins said police had arrest warrants for Chris Corbin, 30, and Patricia Jamison, both of Hyndman, for alleged heroin violations; Bedford residents Amanda Beltz, 28; Kayla Barthalow, 22; Kimberly May, 45; Meagan Robley, 28; and Tyley Shomo, 19, all for heroin offenses;
Tim Hall and Kyleigh Feight, 18, both of Everett, for heroin violations; Tom Robinson, 32, methamphetamine; Tim Laidig, 48, Greg Gracey, 33, and Christy Stuckey, 25, all of Breezewood, all for noncontrolled substances; Joshua Jays, 23, Hopewell, heroin; Chris Barcase, 26, Hopewell, mushrooms; Joy Penrod, 50, Breezewood, pills; Alicia Baker, 25, Carlisle, heroin; Corey Simpson, 25, Claysburg, marijuana; Daniel Dovola, 23, New Paris, cocaine; and Joe Crissman III, 24, Osterburg, marijuana.
The Bedford County Drug Task Force was established in 2004.
“To date, we have been involved in the seizure of nearly $200,000 in drug dealers assets, and put that money back to work in our community. Just recently, we have used some of those funds to purchase updated communication equipment for the Liberty, Saxton and Bedford police departments,” said Higgins.
Higgins also said that Sheriff Charwin Reichelderfer joined the task force in 2008. “His 30-plus years of experience in law enforcement has been an incredible resource,” said the prosecutor.
To report information relating to drugs in Bedford County, call 866-DRUG-INFO.
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