Description:

Ten residents of Western Pennsylvania and three residents of New York, have been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of narcotics trafficking, firearms violations, and money laundering.

The sixteen-count Indictment named the following thirteen individuals as defendants:

• Juan Duran, 34, of Brooklyn, NY
• Jason Lynn, 37, of Altoona, PA
• Miguel Arce, 39, of Brooklyn, NY
• Scott Daughenbaugh, 41, of Tyrone, PA
• Kurtis Dively, 38, of Claysburg, PA
• Douglas Hillegass, 61, of Duncansville, PA
• Daniel Paz, 32, of Queens, NY
• Joshua Pote, 41, of Roaring Spring, PA
• Tonya Settlemyer, 38, of Altoona, PA
• Andrew Stowell, 65, of Altoona, PA
• Brian Weakland, 65, of Coalport, PA
• Lesley Wilt, 37, of Glen Richey, PA
• Danielle Nepa, 48, of Gallitzin, PA

According to the indictment, the named conspirators include leaders, members, drug suppliers, and associates of a drug trafficking organization responsible for distributing narcotics throughout Western Pennsylvania. According to the Indictment, the defendants conspired to possess with intent to distribute and distribute over 50 grams of methamphetamine, 500 grams of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine, and quantities of cocaine and heroin beginning in September 2022 and continuing through September 2023. The Indictment. alleges individual drug trafficking violations against Stowell, Pote, Lynn, and Nepa as well as a firearms violation against Lynn. Finally, the Indictment further alleges that Duran laundered the monetary proceeds of the illegal drug trafficking activity.

For all defendants except Nepa, the law provides for a minimum sentence of 10 years imprisonment and up to life, a fine of not more than $10,000,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of each defendant.

For Nepa, the law provides for a term of imprisonment of not more than 20 years, a fine of not more than $500,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any.

Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan D. Lusty is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Drug Enforcement Administration led the multi-agency investigation of this case, which also included the United States Postal Service – Office of Inspector General, United States Postal Inspection Service, Homeland Security Investigations, Internal Revenue Services, Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, and Pennsylvania State Police.

This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.

An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Outcome: An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

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