Centre County Man Sentenced to at Least 15 Years in Prison for Drug Trafficking

A Ferguson Township man was sentenced to up to three decades in state prison for his role in what prosecutors described as a “high-level” operation trafficking drugs from New Jersey to the State College area.

Larry J. Brickhouse, 51, was sentenced to 15 to 30 years of confinement on Friday by Centre County Judge Julia Rater.

Brickhouse, who was arrested in 2023 on drug charges resulting from a statewide grand jury presentment, was found guilty in May on felony counts of possession with intent to deliver, conspiracy and criminal use of a communication facility.

At trial, prosecutors from the state Attorney General’s Office presented evidence — including controlled purchases, recorded communications and search warrant results — that Brickhouse conspired with ringleader Larry A. David to bring heroin, fentanyl and cocaine to State College and distributed the drugs from David’s residence.

“This defendant was a key player in a large-scale trafficking network that brought poisons to Commonwealth communities,” Attorney General Dave Sunday said in a statement. “I applaud the investigators involved in taking down this ring, and thank the jurors for their diligence in reaching a just verdict that ultimately closed this toxic pipeline.”

A total of 14 people were charged in connection with the case after an investigation that began in 2020. Most have pleaded guilty and been sentenced, with four awaiting trial.

David, who was arrested in 2021 when police said they found 1,400 baggies of heroin in his vehicle, died in Centre County jail in 2023 while awaiting trial.