A Philadelphia man was accused on Monday of organizing the sale of heroin, fentanyl and cocaine in Centre County over more than two years.
David E. Blanchett, 29, was charged with 15 felony counts following an investigations by a statewide grand jury, the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office, Patton Township police and the Centre County Drug Task Force.
Blanchett and others allegedly conspired “to conduct controlled substances sale and clearly show through their affairs patterns of racketeering activity,” according to an affidavit of probable cause.
According to a grand jury presentment, state and local investigators initially developed confidential sources who provided information in February 2018 about Blanchett distributing controlled substances. He was arrested and incarcerated until late October 2018.
After his release, the Centre County Drug Task Force received information from multiple sources that Blanchett was bringing heroin and crack from Philadelphia to Centre County and selling them along with other drugs, investigators said. He allegedly stayed at local hotels and at residences in Bellefonte and State College, where police say he sold the drugs.
Sources also informed investigators that Blanchett said he had other individuals selling drugs for him, including a man against whom charges are pending.
Multiple witnesses told the grand jury they purchased heroin, fentanyl and cocaine from Blanchett between November 2018 and January 2020, according to the presentment. Deals were allegedly arranged by cell phone and messaging applications and purchases were made with cash or applications like Cash App and Venmo.
Witnesses allegedly said Blanchett would inform his customers when he was returning to Centre County from Philadelphia with drugs to sell.
From February through November of 2020, investigators used confidential informants to conduct at least eight controlled purchases of heroin, fentanyl and cocaine “from Blanchett and/or members of his drug distribution network.”
While conducting surveillance in March 2020, investigators also observed an apparent drug deal involving one of Blanchett’s associates at an apartment in State College where Blanchett stayed, according to the presentment. After a person left the apartment, police conducted a traffic stop and the driver allegedly said Blanchett had directed them to the associate to buy heroin.
In August, police responded to a crash in Ferguson Township where the driver appeared to be under the influence and a bag of fentanyl was found in the vehicle. Testimony to the grand jury revealed the driver obtained the fentanyl from Blanchett, according to the presentment.
Prior to the charges this week, Blanchett was arrested in January on multiple charges for allegedly selling heroin in October in Patton Township. When he was taken into custody he allegedly also had 13.6 ounces of marijuana and 3.8 grams of fentanyl in a backpack.
On Monday, Blanchett was charged with 11 counts of possession with intent to deliver and one count each of corrupt organizations-employee, dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity, conspiracy and criminal use of a communication facility.
He was arraigned before District Judge Kelley Gillette-Walker, who denied bail. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for May 26.
