Lock Haven - Beginning in August of 2025, the Pennsylvania State Police, Bureau of Criminal Investigation, Southeast and North Central Strike Force began investigating a Drug Trafficking Organization (DTO) operating in Clinton and Centre County as well as Philadelphia County. Throughout the course of the investigation, the DTO was found to be trafficking large amounts of crystal methamphetamine into North Central Pennsylvania.

During the week of December 1^st, 2025, State Police executed eight (8) residential search warrants in Clinton and Centre Counties, which resulted in the following seizures: 10,006 grams (22 pounds) of Methamphetamine, 13 vials of anabolic steroids, 28 grams of marijuana, 52 assorted pills, numerous cell phones, drug packaging materials and paraphernalia, a 2023 Kia K5 GT sedan purchased with suspected illicit proceeds, and bulk U.S. currency. A total of seven (7) individuals in the DTO were arrested and lodged in the Clinton County Prison in lieu of $500,000 and $1,000,000 monetary bail.

On 12/12/25, State Police executed search warrants in Philadelphia stemming from this investigation. Deandre Pringle-Patterson was taken into custody, transported to Clinton County where he was housed in the Clinton County Prison awaiting preliminary arraignment. An additional 125 grams of Methamphetamine, a stolen Taurus G2C 9mm pistol, and drug packaging materials were seized from Pringle-Patterson during the search warrant. Pringle –Patterson is a person prohibited from possessing a firearm.

The following individuals were charged with Corrupt Organizations (F1), Possession with Intent to Deliver (F) , Use of a Communication Facility (F3), Dealing in Proceeds of Unlawful Activities (F1), and other related charges.

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Lapp, Hockenberry, Ballard, Winkelman, King and Johnson all appeared for their initial court appearance on Monday December 15th, and all six defendant's waived their preliminary hearing.  Pingle-Patterson and Costo are scheduled to appear on 12/22.  All eight defendants remain incarcerated in lieu of bail.