Two residents from Altoona, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty on Tuesday for their involvement in the distribution of methamphetamine in the Western District of Pennsylvania. The distribution 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 the development, stating that the pleas were made before U.S. District Court Judge Stephanie L. Haines.
Settlemyer admitted guilt to a charge of Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute a Quantity of Methamphetamine, while Stowell pleaded guilty to a charge of Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute 50 Grams or More of Methamphetamine. Additionally, Stowell pleaded guilty to one count of Possession with Intent to Distribute 50 Grams or More of Methamphetamine. Both pleas were made before Judge Haines.
Settlemyer and Stowell entered their guilty pleas on Tuesday. Judge Haines has scheduled their sentencing for May 15, 2025. Settlemyer may face up to 20 years in federal prison and a $1 million fine, or both. Stowell, on the other hand, faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years and could be sentenced to life in federal prison, along with a fine of $10 million, or both. During the sentencing, the U.S. District Court Judge will consider the severity of the offenses and the defendants’ previous criminal records to determine the length of their imprisonment.
According To The U.S. Attorney’s Office
According to court documents, Judge Haines was informed during Tuesday’s hearing that Stowell had sold a quantity of methamphetamine to an undercover officer on December 12, 2022, as part of an ongoing narcotics trafficking investigation. It was also revealed that Settlemyer had provided assistance to an Altoona-based narcotics dealer who distributed significant amounts of methamphetamine to multiple individuals in the Western District of Pennsylvania.
