CLEARFIELD COUNTY, Pa. (WJAC) — Six separate indictments were handed down from federal authorities Tuesday in connection to a nationwide drug trafficking ring.

Forty-seven individuals were named in six separate indictments, citing drug trafficking from California all the way to western Pennsylvania including Jefferson and Clearfield counties.

In these indictments, the defendants were charged with narcotics trafficking, money laundering and firearms violations.

Investigators say these defendants operated across the country distributing drugs locally in Clearfield, Jefferson and Allegheny counties.

According to the lead indictment, which includes 37 suspects, they distributed over 550 grams of methamphetamine and 500 grams of cocaine.

This nine-month investigation was a combined effort of multiple agencies including the U.S. Attorney’s office, the DEA, Pennsylvania State Police, DuBois City and Pittsburgh Police Department.

Acting U.S. Attorney Steve Kaufman says the defendants in the lead indictment were all arrested Tuesday morning.

"An operation like this stops drug traffickers and helps cut the supply chain though helps slow the suffering and death in our local area and this tails into the drug treatment that we're trying to start in Clearfield County and...that we recently just started," said Clearfield County District Attorney Ryan Sayers.

Kaufman says they are still looking for four of the defendants that were charged.

“Today is the culmination of a major drug investigation that involved many state and federal agencies working hand-in-hand to protect the citizens of Jefferson County,” said Jefferson County District Attorney Jeff Burkett. “I commend, applaud and thank the DEA, the Pennsylvania State Police, Acting U.S. Attorney Stephen Kaufman and his office and the many other law enforcement agencies that spearheaded this important effort. It is very gratifying to see so many agencies working so hard together for such a great cause.”

For all defendants, 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, authorities say.

The indictments include the following individuals as defendants:

  • Derek Hillebrand, 25, of Troutville, Pennsylvania
  • George Charlan, 33, of Grants Pass, Oregon
  • Yusuf Adekunle, 26, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
  • Marco Armenta, 36, of Stockton, California
  • Silvia Ayala, 30, of Stockton, California
  • Francisco Barba, 32, of Stockton, California
  • Amy Bortot, 51, of Clearfield, Pennsylvania
  • Brandon Coder, 32, of Dubois, Pennsylvania
  • Terrence Dougherty, 28, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
  • Darren Douglas, 36, of Big Run, Pennsylvania
  • Marco Galvez, of Patterson, California
  • Chad Gasbarre, 35, of Brockway, Pennsylvania
  • Danielle Gillam, 42, of Blandburg, Pennsylvania
  • Kenneth Gillam, 51, of Blandburg, Pennsylvania
  • Morgan Gregory, 32, of Dubois, Pennsylvania
  • Darryl Isaacs, 56, of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania
  • Kristy Lepionka, 38, of Reynoldsville, Pennsylvania
  • Christian Maldonado, 33, of Stockton, California
  • Lisandra Maldonado, 31, of Stockton, California
  • Abel Perez, 34, of Stockton, California
  • Jeffrey Peters, 65, of Hyde, Pennsylvania
  • Megan Pyne, 27, of Dubois, Pennsylvania
  • Armando Razo Jr., 31, of Stockton, California
  • Christopher Robertson, 60, of Sparks, Nevada
  • Brenton Ryans, 33, of Reynoldsville, Pennsylvania
  • Ryan Schoening, 31, of Rockton, Pennsylvania
  • Brent Shaffer, 37, of Olanta, Pennsylvania
  • Christina Shaffer, 53, of Falls Creek, Pennsylvania
  • Melvin Shelander, 30, of Kersey, Pennsylvania
  • Darnell Smith, 38, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
  • Taylor Thomas, 27, of Dubois, Pennsylvania
  • Juan Villagran, 23, of Stockton, California
  • Jose Villalobos, 40, of Stockton, California
  • James White, 38, of Seiad Valley, California
  • James Williams Jr., 56, of Reynoldsville, Pennsylvania
  • Travis Williams, 29, of Johnstown, Pennsylvania
  • Justin Zeruth, 34, of Woodland, Pennsylvania
  • Yusuf Adekunle, 26, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
  • Adrian Alvarez, 27, (address unknown)
  • Jesus Gonzalez, 35, of Houston, Texas
  • Diego Zamudio, age 23, Pasadena, Texas
  • Kimari Jackson, age 25, Richmond Heights, Ohio
  • Terry Kelly, age 60, of Penfield, Pennsylvania
  • Kareem Rock, age 27, of Richmond Heights, Ohio
  • Ryan Schoening, age 31, of Rockton, Pennsylvania
  • Jason Whitaker, age 48, of Dubois, Pennsylvania.

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