Pittsburgh Review

A Brooklyn resident and a Queens resident have admitted guilt in federal court for their involvement in methamphetamine trafficking. The charges stem from a six-month wiretap investigation targeting drug activities in Blair, Cambria, Centre, and Clearfield counties, as announced by United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan.

Miguel Arce, aged 40 from Brooklyn, and Timothy Paz, aged 32 from Queens, each entered guilty pleas to one count before United States District Judge Stephanie L. Haines.

The court was informed that both Arce and Paz acted as couriers transporting narcotics from New York City to Altoona, Pennsylvania. They worked on behalf of Juan Duran, identified as a major narcotics supplier. Arce transported over 10 pounds of methamphetamine while Paz moved approximately seven pounds. Additionally, they carried large sums of money from Jason Lynn, an Altoona-based distributor, back to Duran as payment for the drugs.

Sentencing is set for January 9, 2025, for Paz and February 11, 2025, for Arce. The law allows up to 20 years imprisonment and a $1 million fine for Paz; Arce faces at least ten years imprisonment with potential fines reaching $10 million. Sentences will consider the offense's severity and any prior criminal history.

Both individuals remain detained until sentencing.

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

The Drug Enforcement Administration led this multi-agency investigation involving several other agencies including the United States Postal Service – Office of Inspector General and Homeland Security Investigations among others.

This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) initiative aimed at dismantling high-level drug traffickers through coordinated efforts across various law enforcement agencies.