$2 Million Cocaine Ring Busted in Altoona

ALTOONA - A drug task force arrested eight people on Wednesday morning, in what they called the largest drug bust since the 1990s.

Police said that Brian Pfister, an Altoona native, ran the drug ring that pushed more than $2 million worth of cocaine throughout Blair County over 30 months.

On March 30, 2010, police raided Pfister's home on the 5500 block of 3rd Ave.  They found several assault weapons, including Uzis, a 1968 Chevy Camaro, a kilogram of cocaine and several pieces paraphernalia.

During the investigation police also seized a 2007 BMW 525, 1995 Ford Mustang, 2005 Infiniti SUV, 2000 Chevy Geo Tracker, 2007 Dodge Charger, 2009 Mercedes, 2007 Nissan Maxima, a pool table, entertainment center, firearms, two kilograms of cocaine and more than $350,000.

Police said they seized more than $551,000 in assets during the investigation.

The grand jury investigation showed that Pfister received cocaine from three people:  Timonthy Brantley, of Johnstown; John Rauch, of Altoona; and Lamar Robinson, of New York City.  

Pfister allegedly made his first purchase from Robinson in September 2008.  Police said Pfister bought one once of cocaine for $1,400.  

Investigators said that by the fall of 2009, Pfister was purchasing kilograms of cocaine for up to $45,000 per kilo.

Pfister would then sell the drugs to three main local dealers:  Tammy Guida, Jeffrey Robertson and Thomas Bryan.  These people would then typically sell the cocaine to customers.

Throughout the investigation investigators seized more than $500,000 worth of cocaine.

Below is a list of all the individual suspects and the charges that they face:

• Brian Pfister, 42, 5511 3^rd Ave., Altoona, Blair County, is charged with 3 counts of possession with the intent to deliver of cocaine, 3 counts of criminal use of a communication facility, 2 counts of corrupt organization, 1 count of criminal conspiracy, 1 count of dealing in proceeds of unlawful activities.
• Lamar Robinson, 28, 26 Carlyle Green, Staten Island, New York, is charged with 4 counts of possession with intent to deliver cocaine, 4 counts of criminal use of a communication facility, 2 counts of corrupt organization, 1 count of criminal conspiracy,  1 count of dealing in proceeds of unlawful activities.
• Jeffrey Robertson, 43, 1207 Madison Ave., Altoona, Blair County, is charged with 4 counts of possession with the intent to deliver cocaine, 3 counts of criminal use of a communication facility and 1 count of criminal conspiracy.
• John Rauch, 51, 1911 Walton Ave., Altoona, Blair County, is charged with 3 counts of possession with intent to deliver of cocaine, 1 count of criminal conspiracy.
• Thomas Bryan, 43, 134 Sylvan Glen Dr., Ebensburg, Cambria County, is charged with 3 counts of possession with intent to deliver of cocaine, 3 counts of criminal use of a communication facility, 1 count of criminal conspiracy.
• Tammy Guida, 40, 518 Tara Ln., Greenwood/Altoona, Blair County, is charged with 2 counts of possession with intent to deliver, 1 count of criminal conspiracy.
• Timonthy Brantley, 39, 618 Cypress Ave., Johnstown, Cambria County, is charged with 2 counts of possession with intent to deliver of cocaine, 2 counts of criminal use of a communication facility, 1 count of criminal conspiracy.
• Nicolas Rozier, 45, 430 Strayer St., Johnstown, Cambria County, is charged with 1 count of possession with intent to deliver of cocaine, 1 count of criminal use of a communication facility, 1 count of criminal conspiracy
  

The investigation was made possible by Operation Our Town.  For more information on the community-based program go here:  http://wearecentralpa.com/community/communitypartners/operationourtown

To report suspicious activity, you can also call the Push Out the Pusher hotline at, (814) 693 - 3020 or (866) 693 - 3020.