Police: 11 arrested in multi-county drug roundup

Eleven people were charged over the past several days in a roundup of people from Cambria, Indiana and Westmoreland counties suspected of making and using methamphetamines, police said.

Lead by state police in Indiana, the investigation led police to what they said was an active meth lab in the Vintondale, Cambria County area.

Those accused of drug activity were:

• Christopher C. Adams, 34, of New Florence

• Charles L. Waddell Jr., 52, of Armagh

• Amy L. Hillegas, 36, of Seward

• Chad D. Cahill, 36, of Armagh

• Derek E. Colberg, 30, of Marion Center

• Elyse C. Zak, 31, of Marion Center

• Christie L. Ray, 46, of Homer City

• William S. Meagher, 45, of Homer City

• Melvin L. McCloskey, 57, of Homer City

• Tammy F. Ressler, 42, of Vintondale

• Freddie S. Barker, 46, of Vintondale

Barker, Cahill, Waddell, Hillegas, Ray, Meagher, McCloskey, Ressler and Hillegas were all charged with operating a methamphetamine laboratory Jan. 21, as well as possessing phenylpropanolamine, which the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration states on its website is a chemical used in the illicit manufacture of amphetamine.

Waddell and Cahill were arraigned Friday before Blairsville District Judge Jennifer J. Rega and placed in the Indiana County Prison in lieu of $50,000 bond. Rega arraigned Barker, Meagher and Ressler on Monday, jailing Barker on $50,000 bond, Meagher on $25,000 bond and Ressler on $15,000 bond. Rega arraigned Ray on Monday and released her on $50,000 unsecured bond.

Homer City District Judge Susanne Steffee released McCloskey on $5,000 unsecured bond.

Colberg and Zak, who were charged with operating a meth lab, were arraigned Monday before Indiana District Judge Guy B. Haberl. Colberg was jailed on $30,000 bond. Zak was released on $30,000 unsecured bond.

Hillegas had yet to be arraigned Monday, according to the state judicial website.

Police said another male suspect will be charged and three other warrants are still pending.