Date: May 21, 2025
Contact: [email protected]
JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – Two residents of Altoona, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court—one to narcotics trafficking and the other to narcotics and firearms offenses—related to a six-month Title III wiretap investigation into drug trafficking in and around Blair, Cambria, Centre, and Clearfield counties, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.
Lesley Wilt pleaded guilty before United States District Judge Stephanie L. Haines to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a quantity of methamphetamine, and Jason Lynn pleaded guilty before Judge Haines to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute and distribution of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and a quantity of heroin, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
In connection with the guilty pleas, the Court was advised that Lynn was the leader of a drug trafficking organization based in Altoona that distributed large quantities of methamphetamine and smaller quantities of heroin and fentanyl to various individuals throughout the Western District of Pennsylvania. Investigators executed search warrants on Lynn’s residence and two storage lockers, and seized nearly two kilograms of pure methamphetamine and multiple firearms. In total, Lynn was responsible for obtaining over 4.5 kilograms of pure methamphetamine and over 65 grams of heroin from his New York-based supplier that Lynn and his associates, including Wilt, then redistributed to others. Lynn had multiple prior felony convictions, including for strangulation, unlawful restraint, and drug possession. Federal law prohibits possession of a firearm or ammunition by a convicted felon.
Judge Haines scheduled sentencing for both defendants for September 22, 2025. The law provides for a total sentence of up to 20 years of prison, a fine of up to $1 million, or both for Wilt, and not less than 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $10 million, or both for Lynn. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense(s) and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
The Court ordered that both Wilt and Lynn remain detained pending sentencing.
Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan D. Lusty is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Drug Enforcement Administration led the multi-agency investigation of this case, which also included Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation, the United States Postal Service–Office of Inspector General, United States Postal Inspection Service, Homeland Security Investigations, Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, and Pennsylvania State Police.
This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
IRS-CI is the criminal investigative arm of the IRS, responsible for conducting financial crime investigations, including tax fraud, narcotics trafficking, money-laundering, public corruption, healthcare fraud, identity theft and more. IRS-CI special agents are the only federal law enforcement agents with investigative jurisdiction over violations of the Internal Revenue Code, obtaining a 90% federal conviction rate. The agency has 20 field offices located across the U.S. and 14 attaché posts abroad.