An Altoona man, who allegedly carried thousands of dollars in his pockets and bragged to law enforcement authorities that he was the biggest drug dealer in Altoona, is in custody today and charged with numerous drug-related violations.
Twenty-three-year-old Rasheed Rhamel Myers, who is also known as “E” and Eric Shaw, along with four other Altoona adults and one juvenile female, is charged in connection with a $1.5 million heroin and crack cocaine ring operating in Blair County. According to authorities, Myers has been heading the ring which brought heroin, crack and powdered cocaine, and marijuana to Blair County from New York City since 1999.
The announcement of the arrests was made by Blair County District Attorney David Gorman and Senior Deputy Attorney General Michael T. Madeira yesterday at the Altoona Police Department.
“I’d like to applaud the efforts of local law enforcement with regards to this matter and praise the officers who were on the front line in terms of putting this investigation together, as well as the attorney general’s office for its work in these matters,” said Gorman. “This is another step, another direction, in terms of ensuring that, as much as we can, Blair County is free of drugs and that those who are bringing controlled substances into Blair County will be investigated, will be prosecuted and will go to jail.”
Mr. Madeira said the investigation was conducted by agents of his Bureau of Narcotics Investigation, along with assistance from the Blair County Drug Task Force. These organizations presented evidence of Myers’ alleged illegal activities before Seventeenth Statewide Investigating Grand Jury, which recommended that AG Fisher file criminal charges.
According to testimony presented to the grand jury, Myers allegedly imported more than four ounces of cocaine and more than 40 bundles of heroin from New York City. BNI agents estimate that Myers was responsible for importing more than $1 million worth of heroin and $500,000 worth of crack cocaine into the Blair County area.
The jury also believe Myers would use runners to obtain the narcotics from sources in NYC and had others distribute the drugs from residences in Altoona.
Madeira said Myers’ attitude made the investigation easier.
“Over the course of time, there’s been many admissions by him as to how significant of a drug dealer he is,” said Madeira.
Myers is charged with 38 counts of drug law violations, one count of criminal conspiracy, one count of criminal use of a communication facility, five counts of dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity and two counts of participating in a corrupt organization. He is currently being held in the Blair County Prison with no provisions for bail.
Others charged include Myers’ wife, 24-year old Marquetta Duganne; Patricia Tabor, 32, of Altoona; Lisa Whitehead, 43, Myers’ mother-in-law, of Altoona; Troy Thompson, 31, of Altoona; and a juvenile female.
According to Madeira, if convicted, Myers could receive a sentence of “well over 150 years” of incarceration. Madeira noted that Duganne’s sentence would be similar to Myers’, but the other four individuals would be looking at much lighter sentences, due mainly to their “relative culpability” in the cases.
Currently, Duganne, Thompson and the juvenile are in custody, and authorities expect to pick up the other two individuals quickly. Each will be arraigned before Altoona District Justice Kenneth Garman.
They will be prosecuted by Madeira and Blair County Assistant District Attorney Jackie Bernard.
