Two individuals from Altoona, Pennsylvania, have pleaded guilty on Tuesday for their involvement in the distribution of methamphetamine in the Western District of Pennsylvania. The distribution operation spanned across Blair, Cambria, Centre, and Clearfield counties.
On Tuesday, January 14, 2025, Tonya Settlemyer, 39, and Andrew Stowell, 67, both residents of Altoona, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty to drug trafficking-related charges in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania. U.S. Attorney Eric G. Olshan confirmed this development, stating that the plea was made before U.S. District Court Judge Stephanie L. Haines.
Settlemyer admitted his guilt to Judge Haines for conspiring to possess methamphetamine with the intention to distribute it. Similarly, Stowell also pleaded guilty before Judge Haines for conspiring to possess and distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, as well as possessing it with the intent to distribute.
Settlemyer and Stowell pleaded guilty on Tuesday, and Judge Haines has scheduled their sentencing for May 15, 2025. Settlemyer could potentially receive a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison and a $1 million fine, or both. On the other hand, Stowell faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in federal prison, with the possibility of life imprisonment, and a fine of $10 million, or both. During the sentencing, a U.S. District Court Judge will consider the severity of the crimes and the defendants’ previous criminal records to determine the length of their imprisonment.
According To The U.S. Attorney’s Office
During the hearing on Tuesday, Judge Haines received information from the District Court documents. It was revealed that Stowell had sold methamphetamine to an undercover officer on December 12, 2022, as part of an ongoing narcotics trafficking investigation. Additionally, Settlemyer was found to have provided assistance to an Altoona-based narcotics dealer who distributed significant quantities of methamphetamine to multiple individuals across the Western District of Pennsylvania.