A Duncansville man was among three men who recently pleaded guilty to charges in a drug trafficking ring in and around Blair, Cambria, Center and Clearfield counties.

Douglas Hillegass, 62, pleaded guilty in federal court to one count of narcotics trafficking related to a six-month Title III wiretapping investigation into drug trafficking in the area, according to – a press release from the Department of Justice.

Also before United States District Judge Stephanie L. Haines, Miguel Arce, 40, of Brooklyn, NY, and Timothy Paz, 32, of Queens, NY, each pleaded guilty to one count of drug trafficking.

The three men were among 13 people indicted late last year by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on narcotics trafficking, firearms violations and money laundering charges.

Others named in the 16-count indictment are Altoona residents Jason Lynn, 37; Tonya Settlemyer, 38; and Andrew Stowwell, 65; Scott Daughenbaugh, 41, of Tyrone; Kurtis Dively, 38, of Claysburg; Joshua Pote, 41, of Roaring Spring; Brian Weakland, 65, of Coalport; Danielle Nepa, 48, of Gallitzin; Lesley Wilt, 37, of Glen Richey; and Juan Duran, 34, of Brooklyn, NY

According to the indictment, the 13 individuals include leaders, members, drug suppliers and associates of a drug trafficking organization responsible for distributing narcotics in western Pennsylvania.

According to the indictment, the defendants conspired to possess with intent to distribute more than 50 grams of methamphetamine, 500 grams of 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 also alleges that Duran laundered the proceeds of illegal drug trafficking.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was informed that Hillegass was a meth dealer who obtained approximately 6 ounces of meth from Lynn, a large-scale narcotics dealer. Hillegass then redistributed the meth to others.

His sentencing is set for February 26, 2025.

Arce and Paz were both couriers transporting narcotics from the New York area to Altoona on behalf of Duran, a large-scale narcotics supplier, the news release said.

In total, Arce transported over 10 kilograms of methamphetamine, and Paz transported approximately seven kilograms of methamphetamine.

Both Arce and Paz also transported large sums of money from Lynn to Duran, which represented payment for methamphetamine.

Paz’s sentencing is set for January 9, 2025, while Arce’s sentencing is set for February 11, 2025.

The other 10 accused in the case are awaiting trial, according to online court documents.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan D. Lusty is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government.

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