WILLIAMSPORT – Two dozen alleged drug dealers were arrested Wednesday in Lycoming County including three who are facing lengthy federal prison terms if convicted and a former high school star athlete.
Few details have been released about the raid conducted by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. A joint news conference is scheduled for Thursday afternoon.
Three of those nabbed are named in a complaint filed in U.S. Middle District Court. Three others who have not be identified still are wanted in that case.
Detained without bail were Jordan Dominque Watkins, 26, Basil Tyjae Arties, 25, and Damion Lee Bethea, 23, all of Williamsport. Each is charged with conspiracy to distribute fentanyl that carries a 20-year maximum prison sentence.
The affidavit in support of the charge remains under seal but Assistant U.S. Attorney Alisan V. Martin said the conspiracy began last September and continued until their arrests.
Magistrate Judge William I. Arbuckle III said he was told the government plans to seek an indictment against the six when a grand jury meets in Williamsport on Aug. 27.
Watkins currently is on probation after being sentenced in 2017 in county court to two to seven years in prison on a receiving stolen property charge. Firearms and drug charges were dismissed.
Arties had been free on $95,000 unsecured bail and is scheduled to plead guilty next Wednesday in county court in a drug case.
Bethea pleaded guilty in county court in 2014 to a robbery charge and was sentenced to 2½ to five years in prison.
While the feds were arresting those three, state and local police were rounding up 21 other alleged drug dealers including a former Williamsport Area High School star athlete.
Elliott Sean Walker Jr., 21, of Williamsport, was charged with possession with intent to deliver marijuana and criminal use of a communication device. He is jailed in lieu of $25,000 bail.
He is accused of selling $180 worth of marijuana to a confidential informant on June 25 while members of the county drug force observed the transaction.
Walker was an all-state football player at Williamsport, also played basketball and baseball and was one of three 2017 graduates given an award that recognizes strong leadership potential and sportsmanship.
As a freshman wide receiver at Lock Haven University in 2017, he caught 19 passes for 238 yards.
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