Duncansville man pleads guilty to selling narcotics, authorities say

A Duncansville man pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of narcotics trafficking in and around Blair, Cambria, Centre and Clearfield counties, U.S. Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced Wednesday.

Douglas Hillegass, 62, pleaded guilty to one count before U.S. District Judge Stephanie L. Haines, of Johnstown. The case is related to a six-month Title III wiretap investigation.

Hillegass was a methamphetamine distributor who obtained approximately six ounces of methamphetamine from Jason Lynn, a large-scale narcotics distributor, the U.S. Attorney's Office said. Hillegass then redistributed the methamphetamine to other people.

Hillegass will be sentenced Feb. 26, 2025. He faces up to 40 years in prison and a fine up to $5 million.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan D. Lusty prosecuted the case on behalf of the government.

The prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation.

Patrick Buchnowski is a reporter for The Tribune-Democrat. He can be reached at 532-5061.