City Hotel owner in Northern Cambria named in drug ring.

[poolpimp911]

Lowmaster Drug Organization Arrests Total Near 30 People
US Attorney's Office Reveals Details Into Three-Year Drug Investigation


Cambria Co. Residents React To Drug Indictments

Police: Lowmaster Drug Organization Arrests Total Near 30 People
Posted: 4:41 pm EDT July 14, 2011
Updated: 5:44 pm EDT July 14, 2011

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. -- The United State Attorney's Office held a press conference on Thursday to release details into a recent federal grandy jury indictment.

The indictment named new suspect in what police called Cambria County's biggest drug operation in history.

The ten-county indictment named George Lowmaster, Gerald Lowmaster, Marguerite Lowmaster, Judy Bender, Matthew Bopp, Bonnie Chapman, Cory Giles, Timothy Golby, Thomas Holko, Kelley Johns, Gerald Knee, Robert Paterno, Paul Strittmatter, Donald Weaklan and Lori Weaver.

Agents said the drug organization was worth millions of dollars and they sold everything from marijuana to cocaine.

Police said the ring leader George Lowmaster had been in operation for at least five years. That's why the IRS seized his houses, bar and vehicles.

Paterno owns The City Hotel and Golby owns Mr. Pizza, both in Northern Cambria.

Police said they were involved in laundering money.

Resident Richard Nalisnick said, "Business owners selling drugs and contributing to the drug crimes. It's appalling."

Residents in their small town said they are relieved and they've been begging for authorities to do something about their drug problem.

Connie Yingling, owner of Connie's Cuts, said, "It's a very bad problem we have in town right now." Copyright 2011 by WJACTV.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

[bassist_25]

Epic.

I never knew how to take that guy when I played there.

[lonewolf]

Matt Bopp? Didn't I hear his name in bands before?

[RobTheDrummer]

This is what happens when you have too much government regulation and taxes....The small businesses have to resort to other means....

[nakedtwister]

For God sakes Rob cant we have a nice post about a drug ring without you going all political on us.

[RamRod 1]

I'm playing there tonight. "And the beat goes on".

[ToonaRockGuy]

Matt Bopp? Didn't I hear his name in bands before?

No, Jeff, you're thinking of Matt Popp. Two different people.

[RamRod 1]

I'm playing there tonight. "And the beat goes on".

So we played there last night and had a good crowd. Ya never know.

[lonewolf]

Matt Bopp? Didn't I hear his name in bands before?

No, Jeff, you're thinking of Matt Popp. Two different people.

From State College?

[HurricaneBob]

Matt Bopp? Didn't I hear his name in bands before?

No, Jeff, you're thinking of Matt Popp. Two different people.

Matt Bopp played with Sidewalk Romeo, not sure if its the same one mentioned.

[bassist_25]

We were talking about this at the gig last night, and old sKool brought up something I hadn't thought about. The first time we played that place, Robert was adamant about paying us with a check. He wouldn't even cash the check for us. The dude is up on charges for alleged money laundering, and he insisted on paying us by check?!?! The irony's not lost on me.

[skipisode]

I'm saddened by this if Matt Bopp was involved. He was the original guitar player with us in Sidewalk Romeo. He moved back to that area years ago, and was from there originally. I'm pretty sure that it is him, because he is the only person I ever met with that last name (other than his family). I haven't seen or spoken to him in years. Too bad.