Lengthy local drug investigation yields 13 arrests in police bust

By JAMES KWASNIK
Collegian Staff Writer

Pennsylvania State Police arrested 13 people who have been involved in the distribution and possession of various illegal substances for years.

According to a news release from the Pennsylvania State Police at Rockview, all 13 people, none of whom are students, were arrested at their homes and arraigned before District Justice Daniel Hoffman in Bellefonte.

Lt. William Terrell, supervisor at the Centre County Prison, said that between five and seven of those people arrested were brought into the prison yesterday afternoon.

According to court documents sent to the Centre County Courthouse in Bellefonte, police officers have conducted undercover operations with the use of police informants as early as 1991.

Documents also state that police officers used surveillance techniques such as body wires and hidden video cameras to provide evidence of the various transactions and between the defendants and informants. Official money was fronted for the various undercover operations so the informants could use it to purchase the illegal substances.

All potentially illegal substances found were field tested by a forensic scientist and sent to the Pennsylvania State Police crime lab in Harrisburg for verification.

Included among those people being held with various counts of possession are four Bellefonte residents.

According to the court documents, an informant testified that Robert Haines, alias Bubba, was selling cocaine for $1,275 per ounce and that he received the equivalent of $10,000 of cocaine from New York City.

Haines is charged with the following: five counts of delivery of cocaine, five counts of possession with intent to deliver (PWID), and five counts of possessing cocaine. He is being held in lieu of $75,000 bail.

Brian Johnstonbaugh is charged with the following crimes: two counts of delivery of cocaine, two counts of PWID, and two counts of cocaine possession. Johnstonbaugh is being held in lieu of $50,000 bail.

Greg Young, alias Brutus, is charged with two counts of delivery of cocaine and three counts of PWID. Young is being held in lieu of $75,000 bail.

Rodney Treadwell is charged with the following: three counts of delivery of opium and marijuana, one count of criminal attempt, three counts of PWID, three counts of possession, and one count of criminal conspiracy. Treadwell is being held in lieu of $200,000 bail.

Marsh Creek resident Ron Williams is being held in lieu of $125,000 bail. Williams is being charged with the following: two counts of delivery of cocaine and marijuana, two counts of PWID, and two counts of possession.

Eight of the 13 people arrested were released on their own recognizance and are expected to show up for a court date or pay a fine.

Robert Raymus is charged with one count of each of the following: delivery of opium, PWID, possession, and criminal conspiracy. Raymus must pay $100,000 if he fails to show up to court.

Five more people including two other Bellefonte residents must also pay $100,000 each if they fail to show up for court.

William Thompson, alias B.T., is charged with the following: two counts of delivery of cocaine, two counts of PWID, and one count of criminal conspiracy.

Dale Peters is charged with one count of each of the following crimes: delivery of cocaine, PWID, possession, and criminal attempt.

Robert Gearhart of Centre Hall is charged with only one count of marijuana possession.

George Mills of Port Matilda is charged with the following: two counts of delivery of cocaine, two counts of PWID, and one count each for possession and criminal conspiracy.

Karen Mills, also from Port Matilda, is charged with one count of the following: delivery of cocaine, PWID, possession, and criminal conspiracy.

Two Howard residents were also involved and must pay $1,000 if they fail to appear in court.

Todd Irvin is charged with the following: three counts each for delivery of cocaine, PWID cocaine, possession, and one count of criminal conspiracy.

Shirley Irvin is also charged with one count of the following: delivery of cocaine, PWID cocaine, possession, and criminal conspiracy.

Court days have not been set yet.